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' Resignation Letter - Alliances and China
"One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world…
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Remarks by Secretary Mattis on National Defense Strategy - Indo-Pacific
"In the Indo-Pacific region, we keep our decades-old alliances strong by building new partnerships. From this year's historic visit of the USS Carl Vinson, to Vietnam, to our deepening security cooperation with India, which shows the growing trust between the world's two largest democracies, both Pacific powers. In Korea, our diplomats speak from a position of unquestioned strength, as they endeavor to achieve the complete, verified denuclearization of North Korea. [...] We are in era of great power competition, but as President Trump has said…
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Secretary Mattis’s Meeting with The Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, General Wei Fenghe
"Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with General Wei Fenghe, the Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China to reaffirm the importance of a constructive and results-oriented military relationship. Both agreed that the military relationship could be a stabilizing factor in the overall bilateral relationship. The Secretary and the Minister discussed several pressing regional security challenges, including North Korea and the enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
Secretary Mattis also raised the importance of all maritime forces conducting their operations…
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U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue
"U.S.-China Relations: The United States highlighted President Trump’s vision for a constructive, results-oriented U.S.-China relationship based on fairness and reciprocity. Both sides committed to coordinate on resolving differences and cooperate on common goals. Both sides will be preparing for the success of the planned meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi at the G20 summit in Argentina.
Strategic Security and Mil-Mil Relations: The United States and China recognized that the U.S.-China military-to-military relationship could be a stabilizing factor for the overall bilateral relationship, and committed to…
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Secretary Mattis's Meeting with Korea Minister of National Defense Jeong
"Our nations bonds were forged in the tragedy of war, and they endure as we strive to continue fortifying and deepening our ironclad alliance in support of the Korean peoples freedom and of peace. During today's Security Consultative Meeting, our delegation did just that -- we signed our mutually declared alliance guiding principles, a document which paves the way for clarifying the conditions-based transition of wartime operational control of our combined forces.In signing this document, we ensure continuity for the ROK-led future Combined Forces Command…