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
All Posts
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Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Singaporean Foreign Minister Balakrishnan
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Balakrishnan reaffirmed the importance of U.S.-Singapore bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand our cooperation further on COVID-19, regional priorities, counterproliferation, and other issues of mutual interest."
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Myanmar Independence Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I send best wishes to the people of Myanmar on the occasion of your independence day.
The United States is committed to partnering with the people of Myanmar in support of the country’s democratic transition, national reconciliation, and economic transformation.
We will continue to work with your government, civil society, and youth to help achieve greater peace, prosperity, and freedoms in Myanmar. May all the people of Myanmar enjoy a healthy and…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Call with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Locsin
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr. Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Locsin discussed opportunities to further reinforce the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the binding nature of the 2016 arbitral tribunal award on all parties in the South China Sea. The two secretaries also discussed the economic, security, democratic, and people-to-people ties that make up the strong bond between our two countries."
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Secretary Ross and Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Financing and Investment Cooperation
"The United States of America (U.S.) and Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen economic cooperation and extend trade financing and investment support to companies in Singapore and the U.S. The MOU was signed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing.
“The U.S. and Singapore have enjoyed more than fifty years of official partnership since we established diplomatic ties in 1966,” said Secretary Ross. “This MOU will help Singapore importers finance the…
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The Kingdom of Thailand’s National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I extend best wishes to the government and people of Thailand as you celebrate your National Day.
The United States is proud of our partnership and alliance with Thailand and our shared values of freedom, peace, and prosperity. After more than 200 years of diplomatic ties, we remain committed to the strong security, economic, and people-to-people ties that exist between our great countries. This year’s launch of the Mekong-U.S. Partnership reaffirmed the…
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Lao People’s Democratic Republic National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I extend best wishes on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
This is a notable year as our two nations also celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations, and as we prepare to commemorate the 5th anniversary of our Comprehensive Partnership. Our relationship is built on mutual respect, ASEAN centrality, and a shared commitment to Lao sovereignty. Our bilateral cooperation is built on a…
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Joint Statement on Human Capital Development at the 8th ASEAN-U.S. Summit
"We, the Heads of State/Government of Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America, met via videoconference, on 14 November 2020, under Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, on the occasion of the 8th ASEAN-U.S. Summit;
We underscored our shared commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership. We reiterated the importance of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which is based on the principles of openness, transparency, inclusivity and a rules-based framework, among others. We also noted…
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Burma’s Parliamentary Elections
"The United States recognizes that Burma’s parliamentary elections, the second competitive national election since the end of military rule, mark an important step in the country’s democratic transition. Millions of people, including young people voting for the first time, exercised their right to elect their representatives. We appreciate the efforts of all who worked to make these elections possible, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, we are concerned by the large number of unelected seats constitutionally reserved for the…
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Cambodia National Day
"On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I congratulate the people of Cambodia as you mark the 67th anniversary of your independence.
We are honored to confront shared challenges as a partner with Cambodia in support of the health, safety, and prosperity of both our nations. We look forward to further advancing U.S.-Cambodian ties to help build a more prosperous, democratic, and independent Cambodia.
Best wishes to all Cambodians for peace, prosperity, and good health in the year ahead."
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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination for Passenger Vehicles and Light Truck Tires From Vietnam
"U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced an affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of passenger vehicle and light truck (passenger tires) tires from Vietnam. The Commerce Department preliminarily determined that exporters and producers from Vietnam received counter available subsidies with rates ranging from 6.23 percent to 10.08 percent. Among the subsidies preliminarily countervailed is Vietnam’s undervalued currency – making this the first time that Commerce has ever made an affirmative CVD determination regarding a foreign currency with a unitary exchange rate…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Phuc
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo expressed condolences over the loss of life due to significant flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Linfa and Typhoon Molave and was pleased to announce an additional $2 million in USAID assistance to support response efforts, bringing total funding from the U.S. Government to more than $2.1 million to date. The Secretary congratulated the Prime Minister on Vietnam’s superb chairmanship of ASEAN during a…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security Lam
"Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met today with Vietnamese Minister for Public Security To Lam in Hanoi, Vietnam. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Lam emphasized the importance of growing bilateral security cooperation in the Mekong region and the benefits that a strengthened U.S. – Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership can bring to both of our nations."