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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Readout from Secretary Esper's Minister with New Zealand Minister of Defence Ron Mark
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met today with New Zealand Minister of Defence Ron Mark at the Pentagon.
Secretary Esper and Minister Mark discussed bilateral defense relations and reviewed pressing regional and global security issues. The meeting reinforced the close relationship between New Zealand and the United States, one of our closest and most reliable partners.
Secretary Esper and Minister Mark committed to continued close cooperation and collaboration on a wide range of defense and security priorities."
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Statement from the President on the 60th Anniversary of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security
"On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, I would like to offer my congratulations and best regards to the outstanding Japanese and American leaders present today, including my good friend Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Defense Minister Taro Kono.
Over the past six decades, the rock-solid Alliance between our two great nations has been essential to peace, security, and prosperity for the United States, Japan, the Indo-Pacific region…
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Joint Statement on Sixtieth Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the United States of America and Japan
"The text of the following statement was released by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper for the Government of the United States of America and by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Taro Kono for the Government of Japan on the occasion of 60th Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States of America and Japan.
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Sixty years ago, on January 19, Japan and the United States of America…
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Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Esper's Remarks on US Alliance with South Korea
"American presidents have long asked allies to pay more for their own defense—often with lackluster results. But both the U.S. and South Korea now face strategic challenges so large and complex that neither country can afford to allow the status quo to continue. That’s the context of America’s discussions with South Korea about a new special measures agreement.
The U.S.-South Korea alliance is the linchpin of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. Shared values of democracy, the rule of law and open economies form the…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Silicon Valley, California. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Motegi reaffirmed the continuing strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in light of the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed continued cooperation on trade, and coordination on an array of security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, including the DPRK. They also discussed the importance of U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation, and expressed commitment to…
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Trilateral Meeting between Secretary Pompeo, Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in Silicon Valley, California. Secretary Pompeo, Foreign Minister Kang, and Foreign Minister Motegi emphasized the importance of the U.S.-ROK and U.S.-Japan Alliances to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world. They also stressed that trilateral cooperation is essential to ensure the future of peace in the region."
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Kang in Silicon Valley, California. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Kang reaffirmed continued close U.S.-ROK coordination on North Korea. The Secretary and Foreign Minister Kang praised the enduring strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance and reiterated their commitment to cooperation across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ROK New Southern Policy. They also discussed the importance of U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral cooperation and pledged to continue to work closely together on an array of…
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Secretary Esper and [Japanese Defense] Minister Kono Press Conference
"SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK T. ESPER: Well good afternoon, everyone. Minister Kono, it is a pleasure to host you today as we honor the strong defense relationship between the United States and Japan. This Sunday, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.
The agreement formalized our commitment to addressing shared security concerns on the basis of freedom and democracy. Since then, we have united to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region and to uphold…
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Joint Statement of the Trilateral Meeting of the Trade Ministers of Japan, the United States and the European Union
"Mr. KAJIYAMA Hiroshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative, and Mr. Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Trade, met in Washington, D.C. on 14 January 2020.
On industrial subsidies, the Ministers discussed ways to strengthen existing WTO rules on industrial subsidies and agreed upon the following:
1. The current list of prohibited subsidies provided for in Article 3.1 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM) is insufficient to tackle market and trade distorting subsidization…
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Readout of Secretary Esper's Meeting With Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono
"On January 14, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper hosted Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono at the Pentagon, where they reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and reflected on its evolution since the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security sixty years ago.
Secretary Esper and Minister Kono exchanged views on the Middle East and affirmed their commitment to advancing maritime security goals in the region. Secretary Esper reiterated the U.S. commitment to the full implementation of President Trump and Chairman Kim’s…