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 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…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence at the Magna Seating Groundbreaking - China
"And, of course, today, our team returned to China to continue negotiations with a nation that represents half of our international trade deficit.
As you all have witnessed, so far, President Trump has taken a strong stand. We’ve imposed as much as $250 billion in tariffs on China. And I’ll make you a promise: This President and this administration is going to continue to stand strong until China opens its markets and starts treating American workers and American companies the way they deserve to be…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks to Traveling Press En Route to Bangkok, Thailand - Indo-Pacific
"SECRETARY POMPEO: So just a couple things, if I may, just to sort of set what caused me to take this trip. So we’ll be gathering with a bunch of countries that we have worked closely with on many different things, and you’ll see that I’ll have a series of bilats. Many of these are like-minded countries who share our vision for what the region should look like and how economic growth will – ought to be achieved. And so I’m looking forward to that…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Phone Call with Japanese Foreign Minister Kono
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kono reaffirmed their shared commitment to the goal of the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea and reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. The Secretary reiterated the United States’ commitment to working with the Government of Japan, a steadfast ally, across a broad agenda of regional and global issues."
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Remarks by President Trump at Signing of Safe Third Country Agreement with Guatemala - China and North Korea
"Look, I look at deals that were done with other Presidents and this country, and it’s a disgrace that our country has allowed this to happen — where China, for years and years and years was making from $300 billion to $507 billion a year, okay? Now we’re taking in billions of dollars from China, and it’s all turning around.
Whether a deal is made — you know, they’re going next week; they have more meetings. Meeting after meeting. I don’t think, personally, China would…
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President Trump's Proclamation on National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, 2019
"In 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement ended more than 3 years of brutal fighting against communist expansionism and tyranny on the Korean Peninsula. On National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, we honor the brave patriots who secured freedom and democracy in the Republic of Korea, and we pay tribute to the more than 23,600 Americans who were killed in action and the more than 103,000 who were wounded in that conflict.
The dedication stone at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., bears the…
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President Trump's Memorandum on Reforming Developing-Country Status in the World Trade Organization - China
"When the wealthiest economies claim developing-country status, they harm not only other developed economies but also economies that truly require special and differential treatment. Such disregard for adherence to WTO rules, including the likely disregard of any future rules, cannot continue to go unchecked.
China most dramatically illustrates the point. Since joining the WTO in 2001, China has continued to insist that it is a developing country and thus has the right to avail itself of flexibilities under any new WTO rules. The United States…
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Secretary Pompeo With Kevin Cirilli of Bloomberg TV - North Korea and China
"QUESTION: I mean, there’s so much going on around the world. I mean, coming up with these questions, there’s literally like hot pockets all around the world. Just within the last 24 hours, the North Koreans test-firing two new short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday. How does this impact the denuclearization talks with Kim Jong-un?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Look, everybody tries to get ready for negotiations and create leverage, and create risk for the other side. President Trump has been incredibly consistent here. We want diplomacy to…
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Secretary Pompeo With Bret Baier of FOX News - North Korea and China
"QUESTION: North Korea. Ambassador Bolton was in South Korea, and North Korea just launched these two missiles, 30 miles in the air. It’s made – North Korea has made clear it does not like the national security advisor, they do not particularly like you. They talk about you quite a bit. What message is the administration taking from this latest action?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So when the President and Chairman Kim were together now just a few weeks back in the DMZ, Chairman Kim made two…