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 Pompeo’s Call with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Motegi reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, common strategic interests, and an enduring friendship. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the fraudulent elections in Venezuela and reaffirmed the value of the Quad’s collective efforts to advance a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region."
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Op-Ed by Secretary Ross: Space Commerce Accelerating - China and Japan
"Space has forever captured the imagination of people around the world. Starting in the late 1950s, the United States and the Soviet Union recognized the national security importance of space, fueling the initial space race that culminated in the Apollo moon landings.
China’s successful lunar landings and Japan’s impressive return of a sample from the asteroid Ryugu are part of the new race to leverage the economic potential of space, with even higher stakes. Private companies, investors, and over 70 nations are placing huge bets…
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Secretary Pompeo With Hugh Hewitt of The Hugh Hewitt Show - Indo-Pacific
"QUESTION: Now, Mr. Secretary, I want to turn to the Chinese Communist Party and to the conservative realism about it that you and President Trump have articulated and defended. Do we expect, short term, more sanctions in December and January on entities like Huawei?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I don’t want to get out in front of what decisions the President will make, but make no mistake about the work that we’re doing to counter the threat from the Chinese Communist Party continues. So there’s still…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With Guy Benson of The Guy Benson Show - China
"QUESTION: Shifting to China now, I saw a series of polls just in the last few days from Pew Research globally that showed huge spikes in negative views of the Chinese Government, the Chinese Communist Party, all around the advanced world. It’s not just Americans. Across the political spectrum. It’s Canadians. It’s Brits. It’s Australians. It’s Indians. It’s a whole host of people from across the world – Japanese as well.
I know that you’ve recently been in Japan. You’ve recently traveled to Europe. You’ve…
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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 Pompeo’s Quad Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Payne
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne to reaffirm collective Quad efforts to advance a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. In regard to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants discussed ways to deepen cooperation to create resilient supply chains, promote transparency, counter disinformation, and advance shared efforts to support a post-pandemic recovery.
The participants also reviewed recent strategic developments across the Indo-Pacific and…
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Secretary Pompeo with Yoshio Arima of NHK - Indo-Pacific
"QUESTION: But during this very serious moment, you are visiting Japan, far away from White House. So why is that important? What is such important issues you have to talk with allies here in Tokyo?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So there were two reasons I needed to be here today. The first is I wanted to extend my congratulations and greetings to Prime Minister Suga, talk to him about the important bilateral relationship between our countries. We have a long, warm, historic relationship between the people of…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga today in Tokyo, Japan. The Secretary and the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Suga also highlighted that our Alliance is built on a common foundation of a long –standing commitment to democracy, human rights, economic development, security, and people-to-people ties."
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Secretary Pompeo Opening Remarks at Quad Ministerial
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Great, thank you. Good evening, everyone. Foreign Minister Motegi, thank you so much for hosting us, the second meeting of the Quad foreign ministers. I personally appreciate your hospitality. I know my whole team does.
Foreign Minister Payne, Foreign Minister Jaishankar, it’s great to be with you all again. So glad we could all meet here in Tokyo so soon after the new Suga administration has taken office. I’m confident that we can build on the good work of former Prime Minister Abe…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi today in Tokyo, Japan. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Motegi highlighted the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of the prosperity and security enjoyed by the American and Japanese people. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also stressed that the Alliance is essential to the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including joint efforts such as the Japan-U.S. Energy Partnership, Japan-U.S. Strategic Digital Economy Partnership, and Japan-U.S.-Mekong Power Partnership."
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese National Security Secretariat Secretary General Shigeru Kitamura
"Today, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with the Japanese National Security Secretariat Secretary General Shigeru Kitamura in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo congratulated Secretary General Kitamura on his re-appointment as Secretary General following Prime Minister Suga’s election on September 16. Secretary Pompeo and Secretary General Kitamura reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific."