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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U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State, Indian Ministers of Defense and External Affairs Provide Remarks at the Beginning of the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
"SECRETARY MIKE POMPEO: Thank you very much. It’s an honor to be here with you (inaudible) for the third 2+2 (inaudible) all three. Our friendship and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific was clearly, clearly highly on display when we were in Tokyo this past week and a half for the Quad meeting that Minister Jaishankar and I had with our Australian and Japanese friends earlier this month.
Today is real opportunity for two great democracies like ours to grow closer, as I said…
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Joint Statement on the Third U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
"India’s Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper to New Delhi for the third annual U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The Ministers welcomed the elevation of the U.S.-India relationship to a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership during the visit of President Donald J. Trump to India in February 2020. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-India partnership, anchored in mutual trust and friendship…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh Joint Press Availability at the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
"SECRETARY ESPER: Minister Singh, Minister Jaishankar, Secretary Pompeo, it is great to be here in New Delhi and for the four of us to meet and to discuss the important issues of the day and indeed the important issues of the future.
As the world confronts a global pandemic and growing security challenges, the United States-India partnership is more important than ever to ensure security, stability, and prosperity of the region and the world.
Fifteen years after the conclusion of the first U.S.-India Defense Framework…
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Readout of Secretary Esper's Bilateral Engagement With India Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met today with Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh ahead of the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi, India. Secretary Esper and Minister Singh applauded the strength of the defense relationship between the United States and India, and reinforced their commitment to deepening military-to-military cooperation, including joint-service cooperation; increasing secure communications capabilities; and enhancing mutual logistics engagements. Secretary Esper and Minister Singh commended the conclusion of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement during the visit, and welcomed the…
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Joint Statement Regarding Secretary Esper's Meeting With Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto
"Today, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto at the Pentagon to discuss regional security, bilateral defense priorities, and defense acquisitions. Secretary Esper communicated the importance of upholding human rights, the rule of law, and professionalization as the two countries expand their engagement. Minister Subianto expressed the importance of military engagement at all levels, and communicated his appreciation for the United States' support for Indonesia’s defense modernization. Both leaders shared their desire to enhance bilateral military-to-military activities…
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Joint Communique of the 52nd U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting
"1. The 52nd United States (U.S.)-Republic of Korea (ROK) Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 2020. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and ROK Minister of National Defense Suh Wook led their respective delegations, which included senior defense and foreign affairs officials. On October 13, 2020, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, and ROK Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Won In-choul, presided over the 45th U.S.-ROK Military Committee Meeting (MCM).
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Readout of U.S. Secretary Esper's Phone Call With Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Suh Wook
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper spoke today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Suh Wook and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a steadfast ROK-U.S. Alliance and to the combined defense posture.
During the call, Secretary Esper congratulated Minister Suh on his new position and noted that he looked forward to hosting Minister Suh at the Pentagon for the 52nd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) later this month. Minister Suh expressed his appreciation for Secretary Esper’s hospitality and committed to proactively…
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Readout of Secretary Esper's Phone Call With Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi
"On October 6, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper spoke with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi by phone to congratulate Minister Kishi on his appointment as Minister of Defense. Secretary Esper and Minister Kishi advanced ongoing discussions on the response to COVID-19, security issues in the Indo-Pacific region, and continued cooperation to implement U.S. forces realignment initiatives."
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Secretary Esper's Speech at RAND - China
"Today, in this era of great power competition, the Department of Defense has prioritized China then Russia, as our top strategic competitors. These revisionist powers are using predatory economics, political subversion, and military force in an attempt to shift the balance of power in their favor, and often at the expense of others.
China for example is exerting its malign influence through its “One-Belt, One-Road” Initiative. This campaign has left weaker nations with crushing debt, forcing them to take their economic relief at the expense…