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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President Trump's Call with Chinese President Xi
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Xi Jinping of China, on the occasion of the closing of China’s Party Congress, to welcome continued cooperation of the two countries in the years ahead. President Trump told President Xi he looks forward to visiting China in early November, and to advancing joint efforts to denuclearize North Korea."
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met today with Malaysian Minister of Defense Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) convened in Clark, the Philippines. The secretary and Minister Hishammuddin exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN centrality to address shared security challenges facing Southeast Asia. The two leaders discussed the importance of a free and open Indo-Asian Pacific that safeguards freedom of navigation through a rules-based international order. Secretary Mattis and Minister Hishammuddin agreed…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Italy, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of carbon and alloy steel wire rod (wire rod) from Italy, Korea, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, finding that producers/exporters in these countries have sold carbon and alloy steel wire rod in the United States at less than fair value."
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Lich
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines. The two leaders exchanged views on regional security and emphasized the need for continued ASEAN cooperation to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also reaffirmed their intention to deepen the bilateral defense relationship, particularly in the area of maritime security, and highlighted progress made since their August meeting in Washington. Secretary Mattis underscored the United…
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Secretary Mattis' ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus [ADMM-Plus] Meeting
"Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the United States' commitment to allies and partners across the region, and to a free and open Indo-Pacific, which includes a strong ASEAN that speaks with one voice on regional and global issues. The secretary stressed the importance of international cooperation to pressure North Korea in order to realize the shared goal of complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Secretary Mattis congratulated the Philippines on its recent successes against ISIS in the southern Philippines. To improve counterterrorism cooperation among ASEAN…
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President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to congratulate him on his recent electoral victory. The two leaders underscored the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and a strong United States-Japan alliance. President Trump reaffirmed his desire to continue working closely with Prime Minister Abe, and said he looks forward to visiting Japan in early November."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia, finding that exporters in the two countries sold this merchandise in the United States at dumping margins of 54.36 percent to 70.05 percent and 50.71 percent, respectively."
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Secretary Mattis' ASEAN Informal Meetings
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met today with his ten ASEAN counterparts on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines to discuss mutual security challenges and our strong multilateral defense cooperation. They exchanged views on regional security, and Secretary Mattis emphasized the need for continued cooperation in the international community to apply greater diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea to fully implement all U.N. Security Council resolutions. Meeting participants also emphasized the need for continued ASEAN unity to address…
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United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Defense Ministerial Meeting Joint Press Statement
"U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, and Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo convened the 9th Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting in Clark, Philippines on October 23 on the margins of the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus. During the meeting, they held substantive discussions on North Korea, the regional security situation, and deepening security cooperation. [...] The Ministers called on North Korea to abandon its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs in a…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense Onodera
"Secretary Mattis reaffirmed that Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands and that the United States will continue to oppose any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan’s administration of these islands. Both Secretary Mattis and Minister Onodera expressed serious concern about the situation in the South China Sea and reaffirmed their opposition to unilateral coercive actions by claimants, including the reclamation and militarization of disputed features, which alter the status quo and increase tensions. Secretary Mattis and Minister Onodera…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Korean Minister of National Defense Song
"Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo in Clark, Philippines on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus to discuss regional and global security issues, including the threat posed by North Korea. Secretary Mattis and Minister Song reaffirmed the U.S.-ROK alliance is the linchpin of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. They agreed to continue discussions in Seoul at the 49th U.S.-ROK Security Consultative Committee, scheduled for October 28, 2017."
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Remarks by President Trump and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee
"The United States and Singapore share a profound belief in a society built on a foundation of law. A nation ruled by law provides the greatest security for the rights of citizens and the best path to shared and lasting prosperity. Both the United States and Singapore understand the unmatched power of private enterprise to uplift the human condition. These values have made our societies stronger, sustained our partnership through the Cold War, and laid a critical foundation for our lasting relationship today. Our common…
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President Trump's Call with New Zealand Prime Minister-Designate Ardern
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister-Designate Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand to congratulate her on her recent election as prime minister. The two leaders underscored the importance of the bilateral partnership between the United States and New Zealand and pledged to continue close cooperation on the many priorities the two countries share."
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Media Availability With Secretary Mattis En Route to the Republic of the Philippines
"We will be participating, my party and I in the ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting. It will be an opportunity to recognize ASEAN now for 50 years of promoting peace and stability in the region. They have done a very good job of it. Nations coming of age, many years finding, finding, basically a foundation where they can discuss things. And it also marks 40 years of friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and the United States. [... ] ASEAN provides an international venue, giving voice to…
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Commerce Investigations Towards India and China
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) investigations to determine whether imports of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India are being dumped in the United States, and a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation to determine whether producers of PTFE resin in India are receiving alleged unfair subsidies."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty Investigations into China and India
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) investigations to determine whether imports of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India are being dumped in the United States, and a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation to determine whether producers of PTFE resin in India are receiving alleged unfair subsidies."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty Investigations of Imports of Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) investigations to determine whether imports of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from Brazil, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea (Korea), Pakistan, and Taiwan are being dumped in the United States."
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President Trump's Interview with Forbes - North Korea
[Responding to a question about current policy towards North Korea and whether he had undermined Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's attempts at diplomacy] "There's not that much room left. There's not that much room left. Look, this should have been taken care of by four or five previous administrations. It certainly should have been taken care of over the last eight years. And every year makes it a more difficult situation. And right now, I mean President Obama told me--sitting right there, the two of…