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 Remarks at a Press Availability
"The Chinese are moving all around the world today. Let’s be clear. The risk of that is real everywhere, not just in this particular space. We’re keenly aware of it, and I’m – I am confident that the things we’re talking about with respect to North Korea will not enhance the risk of that to any significant degree. We wouldn’t do that to the South Koreans or the Japanese, two of our most important allies in the region."
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Press briefing by Secretary Mattis enroute to PACOM
"You know, I'm -- on the FONOPs, they're freedom of navigation operations. And you'll notice there's only one country [China] that seems to take active steps to rebuff them or state their resentment of them. But it's international waters, and a lot of nations want to see freedom of navigation. So we'll continue that. There had been a promise in 2015 by the -- President Xi, in the Rose Garden -- the White House meeting where he stated they would not be militarizing the Spratly…
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Statement on Steps to Protect Domestic Technology and Intellectual Property from China's Discriminatory and Burdensome Trade Practices
"On March 22, 2018, the President signed a memorandum announcing that the United States would take multiple steps to protect domestic technology and intellectual property from certain discriminatory and burdensome trade practices by China. These actions were announced following a report of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative regarding China’s practices with respect to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. [...] In addition, the United States will continue efforts to protect domestic technology and intellectual property, stop noneconomic transfers of industrially significant technology and…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request - North Korea; Taiwan; China; South China Sea
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request - Chinese Company ZTE
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request - Chinese Trade Practices
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Secretary Ross Interview with CNBC on Chinese Company ZTE
"The United States is looking at alternatives to the crippling sanctions threatening the survival of Chinese telecom giant ZTE, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC on Thursday. Ross said on 'Squawk Box' the U.S. is considering a plan to require compliance officers to be installed at ZTE, best known by consumers for selling smartphones. 'If we do decide to go forward with an alternative, what it literally would involve would be implanting people of our choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit ..…
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request - Chinese Influence in Latin America
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request - Chinese Company ZTE
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks with Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang
"I also raised our concerns about the militarization of the South China Sea. We had a good discussion. We have other important priorities in our relationship with China as well, such as stopping the flow of opioids coming from China into the United States, protecting American intellectual property, and upholding human rights and religious freedom."
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Secretary Pompeo's Remarks During State Department Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Request - Chinese Company ZTE
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Secretary Mattis Press Gaggle in Colorado Springs
"Yeah, we are not ratcheting up anything. In fact, we believe firmly on a stable a Pacific -- we're a Pacific island nation -- excuse me -- a Pacific Ocean nation. Five of our states have coastlines along the Pacific, plus Guam and other American territories. What we are doing is, we are cooperating with China wherever we can, and we are going to have to also confront them when we believe that the rule of law or that matters that can destabilize the region…