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 Mattis Remarks at Bilateral Meeting with Korean Defense Minister Song
"The Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance has played an enduring role in regaining and maintaining South Korea’s security since 1950. As President Moon remarked earlier this week, our alliance serves as the foundation of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Our countries share a commitment to democratic values, and we work together to maintain a stable environment in which all pacific nations can prosper. [...] Here in Washington we are keenly aware that South Korea is on the frontline and we cannot be complacent. We note with…
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President Trump's Call with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee
"President Donald J. Trump spoke on the phone today with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore to discuss Hurricane Harvey response efforts. President Trump thanked Prime Minister Lee for his condolences and offer of assistance to support search and rescue operations, including the use of a Singaporean Air Force Chinook helicopter detachment that trains with the Texas Air National Guard. President Trump also thanked Prime Minister Lee for Singapore’s support for the USS John S. McCain search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Finally, the two…
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President Trump's Phone Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to address North Korea’s launch of a missile that overflew Japanese territory. The two leaders agreed that North Korea poses a grave and growing direct threat to the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as to countries around the world. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe committed to increasing pressure on North Korea, and doing their utmost to convince the international community to do the same."
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President Trump's Press Statement on North Korea
"The world has received North Korea’s latest message loud and clear: this regime has signaled its contempt for its neighbors, for all members of the United Nations, and for minimum standards of acceptable international behavior. Threatening and destabilizing actions only increase the North Korean regime’s isolation in the region and among all nations of the world. All options are on the table."
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President Trump's Call with Philippine President Duterte
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. It was a very friendly conversation, in which the two leaders discussed the concerns of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding regional security, including the threat posed by North Korea. They also discussed the fact that the Philippine government is fighting very hard to rid its country of drugs, a scourge that affects many countries throughout the world. President Trump enjoyed the conversation and said that he is looking forward…
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President Trump's Meeting with Malaysian National Security Council Director General Zulkifeli
"On August 24, 2017, President Donald J. Trump met with General Zulkifeli bin Muhammad Zin, Director General of the Malaysian National Security Council, accompanied by Malaysia’s Ambassador to the United States, Zulhasnan Rafique, and expressed the gratitude of the United States for the Malaysian Coast Guard, Royal Malaysian Navy, and Royal Malaysian Air Force’s help in recovering the fallen United States sailors of the USS John S. McCain. The President also told General Zulkifeli that he looks forward to welcoming Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul…
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determinations on Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia
"Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations, finding that exporters of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia received countervailable subsidies of 50.29 to 64.17 percent and 41.06 to 68.28 percent, respectively. Commerce also determined that critical circumstances exist in the Argentina investigation, allowing for the collection of duties for a retroactive period of 90 days prior to publication of the preliminary determination in the Federal Register."
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USTR Lighthizer Statement on the Conclusion of the Special Session of the US-Korea FTA Joint Committee.
“The United States and Korea have an important economic relationship. Unfortunately, too many American workers have not benefited from the agreement. USTR has long pressed the Korean government to address burdensome regulations which often exclude U.S. firms or artificially set prices for American intellectual property. This negotiation offers us an opportunity to resolve these and other barriers.Since KORUS entered into effect, U.S. goods exports have decreased while the trade deficit overall with Korea has nearly tripled. American service exports have seen virtually no growth in…
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President Trump's Remarks at Rally in Arizona
"And you see what's going on in North Korea. All of a sudden, I don't know -- who knows. But I can tell you, what I said, that's not strong enough. Some people said it's too strong, it's not strong enough. But [North Korean Chairman] Kim Jong Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much. Respect that fact. And maybe -- probably not -- but maybe something positive can come about. They [US…
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USTR Announces Special Session of the U.S.-Korea FTA Joint Committee
"United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today announced arrangements for the special session meeting of the Joint Committee under the U.S.-Korea (KORUS) Free Trade Agreement. The special session will be held in Seoul, South Korea, on August 22, 2017. Ambassador Lighthizer and Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong will open the meeting via videoconference, to be followed by additional senior-level discussions between U.S. and Korean officials in Seoul."
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President Trump's Remarks on India's Assistance with Afghanistan
"Another critical part of the South Asia strategy for America is to further develop its strategic partnership with India -- the world’s largest democracy and a key security and economic partner of the United States. We appreciate India’s important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development. We are committed to pursuing our shared objectives for peace…
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Secretary Mattis' Call with Korean Minister of National Defense Song
"On August 16, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo to congratulate him on his confirmation as ROK Minister of National Defense and to discuss a range of U.S.-ROK Alliance issues. Both Secretary Mattis and Minister Song strongly condemned North Korea’s second intercontinental ballistic missile test on July 28 and resolved to continue to closely coordinate responses to the North Korean threat. Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to defend the ROK and…
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Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Onodera
"Today, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera on the sidelines of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (SCC) to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.- Japan Alliance. During the meeting, the secretary emphasized that the United States remains steadfast in its ironclad commitment to defend Japan in the face of common threats, such as those posed by North Korea. They also discussed the accelerating implementation of the 2015 Revised Guidelines for Bilateral Defense Cooperation and enhancing Japan's defense capabilities."
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Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee [United States and Japan]
"The Ministers confirmed their shared intent to develop specific measures and actions to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance, including through reviewing roles, missions, and capabilities, to ensure seamless Alliance responses across a full spectrum of situations amid an increasingly challenging regional security environment. To that end, Japan intends to expand its role in the Alliance and augment its defense capabilities, with an eye on the next planning period for its Mid-Term Defense Program. The United States remains committed to deploying its most advanced capabilities to…
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President Trump's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Abe
"President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The two leaders exchanged views on the growing threat from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), including the DPRK’s most recent threats to United States and Japanese territory. President Trump reaffirmed that the United States stands ready to defend and respond to any threat or actions taken by North Korea against the United States or its allies, South Korea and Japan. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe also discussed a range…
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President Trump's Call with Indian Prime Minister Modi
"President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to congratulate the 1.2 billion citizens of India, who will celebrate 70 years of freedom and independence on August 15. The leaders resolved to enhance peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region by establishing a new 2-by-2 ministerial dialogue that will elevate their strategic consultations. As the leaders of two of the world’s largest and fastest-growing major economies, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi looked forward to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in…
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Secretary Mattis Remarks at a Press Conference
"If they [North Korea] fire at the United States, it could escalate into war very quickly. Yes, that's called war if they shoot at us. If they do that it's game on."
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Secretary Mattis' Joint statement with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on North Korea
"The object of our peaceful pressure campaign is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. has no interest in regime change or accelerated reunification of Korea. We do not seek an excuse to garrison U.S. troops north of the Demilitarized Zone. We have no desire to inflict harm on the long-suffering North Korean people, who are distinct from the hostile regime in Pyongyang. Our diplomatic approach is shared by many nations supporting our goals, including China, which has dominant economic leverage over Pyongyang. China…
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President Trump's Comments on North Korea and China
"Frankly, the people who are questioning that statement [promising 'fire and fury' against North Korea], was it too tough? Maybe it wasn't tough enough. [...] They've [North Korea] been doing this to our country for a long time - for many years, and it's about time someone stuck up for this country and for the people of other countries. So if anything, maybe that statement wasn't tough enough. [...] I think China can do a lot more, yes, China can. And I think China will…
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Vice President Pence’s Call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
"Vice President Mike Pence spoke today with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia. Prime Minister Turnbull offered his sympathy for the Osprey incident off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The two leaders discussed the recent counterterrorism operation in Sydney and agreed on the importance of fighting terrorism and radicalism in all their forms. Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Turnbull also discussed the grave and growing threat North Korea poses to countries near and far. Reflecting on joint counterterrorism initiatives and the shared North Korea…
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Secretary Mattis Press Statement on North Korea
"The United States and our allies have the demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend ourselves from an attack. Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council’s unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability. The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime…