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 Visit to China
“President Trump and President Xi reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the goal of full, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stated they will not accept the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state. […] The two sides had a candid and constructive exchange of views on regional security and maritime issues and reaffirmed the importance of reducing the risk between our two militaries while maintaining the longstanding American commitment to free and open navigation for all nations. […] The President underscored the importance…
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Remarks by President Trump at APEC CEO Summit-Da Nang, Vietnam
"I am so thrilled to be here today at APEC, because this organization was founded to help achieve that very purpose. America stands as a proud member of the community of nations who make a home on the Pacific. We have been an active partner in this region since we first won independence ourselves. [...] We have been friends, partners, and allies in the Indo-Pacific for a long, long time, and we will be friends, partners, and allies for a long time to come. As…
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Remarks by President Trump and Chinese President Xi - Trade
"In addition to improving the safety and security of our citizens, President Xi and I discussed improving our economic relationship. We want a vibrant trade relationship with China. We also want a fair and reciprocal one. Today, I discussed with President Xi the chronic imbalance in our relationship as it pertains to trade, and the concrete steps that we'll jointly take to solve the problem of the massive trade distortion. This includes addressing China’s market access restrictions and technology transfer requirements, which prevent American companies…
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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Announces Hundreds of Billions in Deals Between U.S. Companies and Chinese Entities
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the signing of approximately a quarter trillion dollars in deals facilitated by the Department of Commerce between private U.S. businesses and Chinese entities. The agreements, most of which occurred as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2017 U.S. CEO Delegation to China, will bring thousands of new jobs to America."
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Remarks by President Trump at Business Event with Chinese President Xi
"As we all know, America has a huge annual trade deficit with China -- a number beyond anything what anybody would understand. This number is, shockingly, hundreds of billions of dollars each year. Estimates are as high as $500 billion a year. We must immediately address the unfair trade practices that drive this deficit, along with barriers to market success. We really have to look at access, forced technology transfer, and the theft of intellectual property, which just, by and of itself, is costing the…
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Remarks by President Trump and Chinese President Xi - North Korea
"Today, President Xi -- we discussed our mutual commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. We agreed not to replicate failed approaches of the past -- and there were many. We agreed on the need to fully implement all U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea and to increase economic pressure until North Korea abandons its reckless and dangerous path. All responsible nations must join together to stop arming and financing -- and even trading with -- the murderous North Korean regime. Together, we…
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President Trump's Remarks on US-China Trade Imbalances
"The problem we have with China is that for decades they've been -- you know, it's been a very unfair -- let me be very kind to previous administrations -- it's been a very unfair trade situation. Our trade deficit is massive. It's hundreds of billions of dollars a year, anywhere from $350 billion to $504 billion, and that doesn't include intellectual property. And we've already started discussions with China because it has to come down. It has to come down. And that has to…
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President Trump's Interview with Laura Ingraham
"Well, you know Japan is a warrior nation. And I tell China and I tell everyone else that, listen, you’re going to have yourself a big problem with Japan pretty soon if you allow this to continue with North Korea. [...] Well, look, they’re an ally – they’re an ally. The Prime Minister is a very good friend of mine. Prime Minister Abe – I’ve become very close. I’ve become very, very, close to President Xi of China. I think a lot of good things…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Determinations on Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from the People’s Republic of China and India
"U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations, finding that exporters of fine denier polyester staple fiber from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India received countervailable subsidies of 41.73 to 47.64 percent and 7.18 to 9.86 percent, respectively. The Commerce Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of fine denier polyester staple fabric from China and India based on these preliminary rates. In 2016, imports of fine…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Determinations on Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from the People’s Republic of China and India
"U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations, finding that exporters of fine denier polyester staple fiber from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India received countervailable subsidies of 41.73 to 47.64 percent and 7.18 to 9.86 percent, respectively. [...] In 2016, imports of fine denier polyester staple fiber from China and India were valued at an estimated $79.4 million, $14.8 million, respectively."