This resource tracked statements, developments, visits, and other interactions in US-Indo-Pacific relations under the President Trump administration. Special focus was given to the comments and activities of President Donald J. Trump; Vice President Mike Pence; United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Jr.; former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson; former Secretary of Defense James Mattis; and former Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark Esper.
The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar on the margins of the United States-India-Australia-Japan Quadrilateral Consultations. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar discussed ongoing bilateral and multilateral cooperation on topics of international concern. They reaffirmed the strength of the United States-India relationship, reviewed our efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and asserted the need to work together to advance peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe. The Secretary and the Minister agreed…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Mongolia’s President Battulga
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Mongolia’s President Khaltmaagiin Battulga. Secretary Pompeo and President Battulga discussed the strategic partnership between the United States and Mongolia, which is based on shared democratic values, a commitment to economic development, and deep people-to-people ties. The two also discussed working together to strengthen security in Asia, promote the rule of law, and support the traditional heritage and culture of all Mongolians, as well as the possibility of rescheduling the Secretary’s visit to Ulaanbaatar in the near…
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Secretary Pompeo Opening Remarks at Quad Ministerial
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Great, thank you. Good evening, everyone. Foreign Minister Motegi, thank you so much for hosting us, the second meeting of the Quad foreign ministers. I personally appreciate your hospitality. I know my whole team does.
Foreign Minister Payne, Foreign Minister Jaishankar, it’s great to be with you all again. So glad we could all meet here in Tokyo so soon after the new Suga administration has taken office. I’m confident that we can build on the good work of former Prime Minister Abe…
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Secretary Pompeo with Yoshio Arima of NHK - Indo-Pacific
"QUESTION: But during this very serious moment, you are visiting Japan, far away from White House. So why is that important? What is such important issues you have to talk with allies here in Tokyo?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So there were two reasons I needed to be here today. The first is I wanted to extend my congratulations and greetings to Prime Minister Suga, talk to him about the important bilateral relationship between our countries. We have a long, warm, historic relationship between the people of…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne today in Tokyo, Japan on the sidelines of the U.S.-Australia-India-Japan Ministerial (“the Quad”). Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Payne emphasized the importance of the Quad discussions to the promotion of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed their shared concerns regarding the People’s Republic of China’s malign activity in the region. Secretary Pompeo thanked Foreign Minister Payne for Australia’s leadership and coordination as a…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga today in Tokyo, Japan. The Secretary and the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Suga also highlighted that our Alliance is built on a common foundation of a long –standing commitment to democracy, human rights, economic development, security, and people-to-people ties."
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi today in Tokyo, Japan. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Motegi highlighted the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of the prosperity and security enjoyed by the American and Japanese people. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also stressed that the Alliance is essential to the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including joint efforts such as the Japan-U.S. Energy Partnership, Japan-U.S. Strategic Digital Economy Partnership, and Japan-U.S.-Mekong Power Partnership."
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Secretary Pompeo with Hrvoje Kresic of N1 TV - China
"QUESTION: But it seems that a gap has appeared. Fifty miles from here there’s the Peljesac Bridge being built by Chinese companies. It’s hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of (inaudible) and it’s being built by Chinese companies, not by U.S. companies. How do you explain that?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. Well, that’s a sovereign decision that was made here. Our view has been pretty consistent with respect to how we should treat the Chinese Communist Party all across the world. When they show up, when…
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Secretary Pompeo With Amy Kellogg of FOX News - China
"QUESTION: But let me ask you how it went. You’re fresh from the Vatican. How did it go this morning with the cardinals? What progress did you make?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Look, we had a constructive discussion. We have a shared objective. The Chinese Communist Party is behaving in ways that are reminiscent of what’s only happened in centuries past in terms of human rights violations. We’ve watched them oppress not only Muslim Uyghurs but Christians, Catholics, Falun Gong, people of all faiths. I know that…
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Secretary Pompeo and Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio at a Press Availability - China
"[SECRETARY POMPEO:] Recovering from the virus should also mean accountability for the Chinese Communist Party, as I urged today, and its blatant cover-up attempts that have led to the deaths of more than 1 million people, and an enormous loss – trillions of dollars of economic wealth – and the terrible situation it’s put ordinary families all across the world.
To that end, the foreign minister and I had a long conversation about the United States concerns that the Chinese Communist Party is trying to…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese National Security Secretariat Secretary General Shigeru Kitamura
"Today, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with the Japanese National Security Secretariat Secretary General Shigeru Kitamura in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo congratulated Secretary General Kitamura on his re-appointment as Secretary General following Prime Minister Suga’s election on September 16. Secretary Pompeo and Secretary General Kitamura reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific."