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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USTR Lighthizer's Remarks on Section 301 Action
“On Friday, in response to unfair Chinese practices, the United States began imposing tariffs of 25 percent on approximately $34 billion worth of Chinese imports. These tariffs will eventually cover up to $50 billion in Chinese imports as legal processes conclude. The products targeted by the tariffs are those that benefit from China’s industrial policy and forced technology transfer practices.China has since retaliated against the United States by imposing tariffs on $34 billion in U.S. exports to China, and threatening tariffs on another $16 billion…
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USTR Releases Product Exclusion Process for Chinese Products Subject to Section 301 Tariffs
"The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today announced a process to obtain product exclusions from the additional tariffs in effect on certain products imported from China under the U.S. response to China’s unfair trade practices related to the forced transfer of U.S. technology and intellectual property. Today, additional tariffs of 25 percent come into effect for Chinese products imported under 818 tariff lines, covering a trade value of approximately $34 billion in 2018. These tariff lines contain products identified as benefiting from China’s…
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President Trump's Interview with Financial Times - China and North Korea
"I have great respect for him [Chinese President Xi Jinping]. I have great respect for China. I would not be at all surprised if we did something that would be very dramatic and good for both countries and I hope so.[...] we cannot continue to trade if we are going to have an unfair deal like we have right now. This is an unfair deal. [...] Yes, we [President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping] will talk about North Korea. And China has great influence…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman General Xu
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Central Military Commission Vice Chairman General Xu Qiliang June 28, 2018, at the People's Liberation Army's Bayi Building in Beijing, China. The leaders discussed a broad range of defense issues and the importance of substantive military-to-military contacts to reduce risk and strategic uncertainty. Secretary Mattis acknowledged potential areas of cooperation, including shared interest in the denuclearization of North Korea."
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Secretary Mattis’ Meeting with Chinese Minister of National Defense General Wei
"On June 27, 2018, Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with the Minister of National Defense for the People’s Republic of China, General Wei Fenghe. Secretary Mattis and General Wei openly and candidly discussed a broad range of issues important to the U.S.-China relationship. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the agreement between President Trump and President Xi for a defense relationship that plays a stabilizing role in the overall bilateral U.S- China relationship. He also emphasized that the U.S. and China bear responsibility for military-to-military relationship…
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Secretary Pompeo's Testimony During State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request - China, North Korea, South Korea
Secretary Pompeo held discussions with numerous senators during the State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request hearing on China, North Korea, and South Korea. View their remarks: Senator Lindsey Graham (SC); Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH); Senator Steve Daines (MT); and Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD).
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Press Gaggle by Secretary Mattis - China
"This is my first trip to China, but it does follow two meeting with interlocutors last year. The first one was Mar-a-Lago, and the second one was in Washington, D.C. The first one was with President Xi, President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and our counterparts for secretary of state and myself. The second one was in Foggy Bottom, State Department, and that was what we call a two-plus-two, secretary of state, secretary of defense, and our counterparts from China. To the consultations, as you probably already…
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Remarks by President Trump at a Roundtable Discussion on Tax Reform
"But more importantly, our industry is coming back far faster than we thought. If other countries aren’t going to treat us with respect and aren’t going to treat us properly on trade — because they haven’t with these massive deficits that we have. The big one is a car tax. They send in cars into our country by the millions and millions and millions, and we pay — I mean, if we send cars to them, they either don’t want it or it’s a big…