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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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China, North Korea, and India
"Q Mr. President, why the tariffs against China now? And are you concerned about the nosedive the Dow took today as a result?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I’m not concerned about that at all. I expected that a little bit because people don’t understand quite yet about what’s happened.
We’ve taxed China on 300 billion dollars’ worth of goods and products being sold into our country. And China eats it because they have to pay it. Because what they do is they devalue their currency and…
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Secretary Pompeo's Opening Remarks at the Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Foreign Minister. I want to thank you, Thailand, for hosting this special ministerial marking a decade of the Lower Mekong Initiative. The United States has been a proud partner for those whole 10 years, and thanks to our work: 340,000 people have access to improved drinking water; 3,800 officials, teachers, and students have been trained in technical English; 27,000 people have access to improved sanitation; and 70 technical teams have supported 45 projects to improve infrastructure sustainability.
These are real achievements…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok, Thailand on August 1 to address issues of bilateral and regional importance. Secretary Pompeo and State Councilor Wang reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and the need for North Korea to return to negotiations. The Secretary also expressed concern over China’s treatment of religious minorities."
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Remarks by President Trump After Marine One Arrival - China
"Q If China doesn’t fulfill its commitment to buy U.S. agricultural products, what will you do?
THE PRESIDENT: We’ll see what happens with China. I think we’ll do very well with China. We’re already doing very well with China. China has had the worst year they’ve had in 27 years, and we’re having the best year we’ve ever had. The stock market just hit an all-time high. We’re doing the best we’ve ever done. All three indexes — if you look at it — indices…
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Remarks by President Trump Before Meeting With President Battulga of Mongolia
"Q Mr. President, have you thought of a name for the horse yet? [It is tradition for U.S. presidents to be symbolically gifted with a Mongolian horse when meeting with their Mongolian counterparts.]
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I did. “Victory.”
Q Victory.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much for the horse. Did you see a picture of the horse?
Q Not yet.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Beautiful.
Mongolia — they’re great fighters. You know, they’re great fighters, great wrestlers, great champions. Right? And we have the grand champion…
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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China and North Korea
"THE PRESIDENT: So I just want to tell you the economy is doing fantastically well. We have people over in China right now. We’re negotiating with China. We’ll see what happens. We’re either going to make a great deal or we’re not going to make a deal at all. But a lot of great things are happening, and including with China. [...]
THE PRESIDENT: So the talks are moving very well with China, but they were often with China. But China always makes a new deal…