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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Press Gaggle by Secretary Mattis En Route to Indonesia
"But again, this'll be my first time in Indonesia as the secretary of defense, so I'll be doing a lot of listening. We'll move from there into Vietnam and there, some of the big issues there, just so you're thinking about what you want to ask me about there, freedom of navigation, obviously, in the South China Sea, the respect for international rule of law and respect for national sovereignty. So we share the Pacific. It's an ocean named for peace, we would like to…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Determinations on Stainless Steel Flanges from the People's Republic of China and India
"Today [January 17, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of stainless steel flanges from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India, finding that exporters in China and India received countervailable subsidies of 174.73 percent, and from 5.00 to 239.61 percent, respectively. The Commerce Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of stainless steel flanges from China and India based on these preliminary rates."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Final Determinations on Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from China and India
"Today [January 17, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative final determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of fine denier polyester staple fiber from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India, finding that exporters from China and India received countervailable subsidies of 41.73 to 47.55 percent and 9.50 to 25.28 percent, respectively. The Commerce Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of fine denier polyester staple fiber from China and India based on these final rates."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Imports of Certain Plastic Decorative Ribbon from China
"Today [January 17, 2018], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations to determine whether certain plastic decorative ribbon from China is being dumped in the United States or if producers in China are receiving unfair subsidies. [...] The estimated dumping margins alleged by the petitioner range from 74.34 to 370.04 percent for China. The subsidy programs alleged include preferential lending, various tax incentives and export assistance, and the provision of plastic inputs by…
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President Trump's Call with Chinese President Xi
"President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China to discuss recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. President Trump and President Xi acknowledged the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue and expressed hope that it might prompt a change in North Korea’s destructive behavior. President Trump committed to sustain the United States-led global campaign of maximum pressure to compel North Korea to commit to denuclearization. The two leaders also discussed trade issues, and President Trump expressed disappointment that the United…
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Media Availability with Secretary Mattis en route to Vancouver, Canada
"Our problem is not with the North Korean people. Our problem is with Kim and his regime. But that is the regime in power that we must deal with."
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President Trump's Interview with The Wall Street Journal - Trade with Japan and South Korea
"Yesterday it was announced that Toyota is coming in with a very big plant in Alabama. It’s going to cost—they’re going to spend billions of dollars, four thousand jobs, create 300,000 cars a year within the country, which is what I want. Prime Minister Abe told me about it, I pressed him very hard. I said, ‘We got to get your companies building here. We don’t want a building in Japan; we want to build them here. We have a lot of plants opening, car…
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President Trump's Interview with The Wall Street Journal
"With that being said, President Xi [of China] has been extremely generous with what he’s said, I like him a lot. I have a great relationship with him, as you know I have a great relationship with Prime Minister Abe of Japan and I probably have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un of North Korea."
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Remarks by the Vice President to Troops and Family Members at Nellis Air Force Base
"In the face of ongoing threats and provocations by the regime in North Korea, I can assure you, the resolve of the United States is firm. We will continue to marshal economic and diplomatic pressure to demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. But as President Trump has made clear, all options are on the table."
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Secretary Mattis Meets with Japanese Defense Minister Onodera
"Defense Secretary James N. Mattis spoke with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera yesterday [over the phone] to discuss a range of issues related to the U.S.-Japan alliance. [...They] 'condemned North Korea's reckless and unlawful behavior' [...and Secretary] Mattis reaffirmed the U.S. commitments to Japan’s defense and pledged to work closely with Onodera to bolster critical alliance capabilities."
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President Trump's Call with Korean President Moon
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea. President Moon briefed President Trump on the outcomes of the discussions between North and South Korea on January 9 and thanked President Trump for his influential leadership in making the talks possible. The two leaders underscored the importance of continuing the maximum pressure campaign against North Korea. President Trump expressed his openness to holding talks between the United States and North Korea at the appropriate time, under the right circumstances…
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President Trump Remarks on Opioid Crisis
"We’re pleased to be joined by many of the members of Congress as we take an important step to halt the flood of deadly drugs that are pouring into our country like never before. It took place two, three, four years ago. It’s at a level that people haven’t seen over the last few years. In a few moments, I’ll sign the INTERDICT Act. This law directs the Department of Homeland Security to provide additional tools and resources to detect and…
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Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Phone Call with Japan Minister of Defense Onodera
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis spoke with Japan Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera today to discuss a range of U.S.-Japan Alliance matters. Secretary Mattis and Minister Onodera condemned North Korea’s reckless and unlawful behavior. They discussed the importance of maximizing pressure on North Korea so it changes its path, refrains from provocative and threatening actions, and makes a strategic decision to abandon its nuclear and missile programs. Secretary Mattis described the North Korean threat as a global problem, and the two officials underscored the…
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President Trump's Remarks After Congressional Republican Leadership Retreat
"I spoke with the President, as you know — with President Moon of South Korea. He thanked me very much for my tough stance. And you know, for 25 years, they haven’t been using a tough stance. They’ve been giving everything. When you look at what Bill Clinton did — and you’ve seen the famous clip where Bill Clinton wants to give them everything, and where I said, years ago, with Russert on Meet the Press — many years ago, I talked to — I…
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USTR Lighthizer Announces KORUS Negotiations to Be Held in Seoul, South Korea
"United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced today negotiations on amendments and modifications of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) will be held in Seoul, Korea on January 31 and February 1, 2018. The United States will engage on priority areas with the goal of moving towards fair and reciprocal trade and resolving additional cross-cutting and sector-specific barriers impacting U.S. exports. The United States delegation will be led by Michael Beeman, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC. The Republic of…
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USTR Lighthizer Discusses Negotiations on KORUS FTA
"On January 5, 2018, officials from the United States and the Republic of Korea met at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to advance talks related to the U.S.-Korea (KORUS) Free Trade Agreement, including negotiations on Agreement modifications and amendments. The United States delegation was led by Michael Beeman, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC. The Republic of Korea delegation was led by Ms. Myung-hee Yoo, Director General from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). [...] At the conclusion…
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Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Phone Call with Korean Minister of National Defense Song
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis spoke with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo today to discuss a range of U.S.-ROK Alliance matters. Both Secretary Mattis and Minister Song recognized the dangers of North Korea’s reckless and unlawful behavior, which goes against the strong consensus of the international community, as reflected in multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions. The two leaders affirmed the strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend the ROK using the full…
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Secretary Mattis Remarks on North Korea
"In terms of is it one-off from him [North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un, regarding comments he made that signal potential outreach to South Korea] or a real olive branch, I don't know. It shows again that the democracies and the nations that are trying to keep this from going to war and stopping the provocations of nuclear weapon development, of ballistic missile launches and that sort of thing are united and trying to keep this thing in a solution - a diplomatic solution vein…