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
All Posts
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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China
"Q Democrats are portraying your action yesterday on the census citizenship question as backing down. Do you believe that you backed down?
THE PRESIDENT: No, no. Who said — who said that?
Q Democrats are saying you backed down. Do you believe you backed down?
THE PRESIDENT: Look, anything you do, the Democrats will say it’s not good. In the meantime, they had a disaster. They had these laws that are so bad — catch-and-release, and you look at the different laws — visa lottery…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Sebastian Gorka of America First - North Korea
"QUESTION: We could discuss so many things. You had an amazing initiative this week with regards to unalienable rights. I want to talk about that. But for a moment, just for our listeners coast to coast, can you take into the truly historic event where you were with the President the first time that an American president since 1953 stepped across the DMZ? What was it like, Mike Pompeo, to be there for that historic moment?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Sebastian, it was really something. It was…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo’s Call with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke by phone yesterday with ROK Foreign Minister Kang. They reaffirmed their commitment to the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, the importance of U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation, and agreed to continue working closely together to address common challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang also discussed the enduring strength of the United States–ROK alliance, which remains the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."
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Kiribati National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I offer congratulations to the people of the Republic of Kiribati as you celebrate the 40th year of your nation’s independence this July 12.
The deep ties our two nations forged during the Battle of Tarawa have developed into a longstanding partnership. Together, we are committed to tackling the region’s most pressing issues, such as natural disaster preparedness and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, while advancing economic development, strengthening the rule of law, and…
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Remarks by Vice President Pence in a Press Gaggle - China
"Q — please allow me to ask questions not related, but I think if you would think it’s important as a man of faith. You understand that a lot of the — in China, this year marks the 20 years’ anniversary of the Chinese government’s persecution of Falun Gong — the spiritual movement. And even people here — I just met some people — they are here now, but they still affected by Chinese government’s persecution policy, which has extended to here.
So at this…
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Remarks by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross at the Bureau of Industry and Security Annual Conference on Export Controls and Security - China
"Of the closed cases for export violations during that same period, we had 89 civil adjudications and 70 criminal prosecutions involving a range of countries including China, Russia, Pakistan, North Korea, and Iran. In addition, we have conducted more than 2,000 end-use checks on technology sales in more than 65 countries since 2017. On average, 25 percent were either unfavorable — violations of Export Administration Regulations — or unverified, meaning we could not confirm compliance. Unfavorable determinations were turned into enforcement actions, including Unverified List…
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Mongolia National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I send my warm regards to the Mongolian people as you gather for the opening of this year’s Naadam Festival on July 11.
The United States and Mongolia have built a strong partnership rooted in our shared commitment to societies respectful of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. We look back over thirty-two years of diplomatic ties with pride, and look forward to deepened relations as third neighbors and Indo-Pacific partners.
On…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Hong Kong Businessman and Publisher Jimmy Lai
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with Hong Kong businessman and publisher Jimmy Lai today in Washington, D.C. They discussed developments related to amendments to Hong Kong’s Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the status of Hong Kong’s autonomy under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework."
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Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure - China
"Q (Inaudible) this week on China — Ambassador Lighthizer and Secretary Mnuchin, I guess, would they meet with the Chinese this week?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we’re doing very well with China. That’s right; they’re meeting. But we’re — most importantly, we’re doing very well with the tariffs. We’re taking in billions and billions of dollars from China. We’ve never taken in ten cents from China. China has ripped us off during Obama and Biden; during, in all fairness, Bush and other Presidents; and Clinton, obviously.
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Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure - China and North Korea
"Q Joe Biden called you a “bully” in that interview last night. What do you think of that?
THE PRESIDENT: I don’t think I’m bully at all. I just don’t like taking — being taken advantage of by other countries, by pharmaceutical companies, by all of the people that have taken advantage of this country.
You look at what Joe Biden has done with China. We’ve lost our shirts with China and now China is dying to make a deal. So — and we’re taking…