The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations

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.

Methodology

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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…

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…

Secretary Pompeo’s Participation in the 10th East Asia Summit Virtual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo joined counterparts from 17 countries for the 10th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting this morning. Secretary Pompeo highlighted U.S. support for principles of openness, inclusiveness, transparency, and respect for international law. These principles are shared across our Indo-Pacific vision, ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo Pacific, and the visions of many other EAS member states.

The Secretary praised ASEAN unity and transparency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined U.S. efforts to leverage all available resources to develop…

Secretary Pompeo’s Participation in 2020 ASEAN-United States Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo joined the annual ASEAN-United States Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with his counterparts from the 10 ASEAN member states via videoconference on September 9.

Secretary Pompeo and his ASEAN counterparts highlighted the breadth and depth of U.S. engagement and commitment to the ASEAN region. They discussed ASEAN and U.S. cooperation on regional political, security, economic, and cultural issues. The Secretary reiterated U.S. support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and its role in guiding U.S. engagement with ASEAN. He further…

Secretary Ross's Speech at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum

Secretary Ross's Op-Ed in fox Business on US Trade with the Indo-Pacific

"A renewed partnership, a transformative vision. This is what President Donald J. Trump outlined for United States and Indo-Pacific relations almost two years ago in Da Nang, Vietnam, and it is what the United States is championing now at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.

During the second half of a historic trip in 2017 that also featured stops in Japan, South Korea, China and the Philippines, President Trump laid out an optimistic view of future ties between the United States and its partners…

From vision to reality: Building a new Indo-Pacific

"A renewed partnership, a transformative vision. This is what President Donald J. Trump outlined for United States and Indo-Pacific relations almost two years ago in Da Nang, Vietnam, and it is what the US is championing now at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.

During the second half of a historic trip in 2017 that also featured stops in Japan, South Korea, China, and the Philippines, President Trump laid out an optimistic view of future ties between the US and its partners in the…

Vice President Pence's Remarks at Announcement of the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership

"Prime Minister O’Neill, it is an honor to be with you here in Papua New Guinea for this historic announcement. And it is my great honor, on behalf on President Donald Trump, to join with Prime Minister Abe, Prime Minister Morrison, and Prime Minister Ardern in announcing the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership that will bring electricity to 70 percent of the people of Papua New Guinea by the year 2030.

Mr. Prime Minister, that is an extraordinary commitment on your part. It’s a reflection…

Vice President Pence's Remarks at the 2018 APEC CEO Summit

"Thank you, Scott. And thank you all for that warm welcome. Prime Minister O’Neill, Chairman Taureka, representatives from across the region, leaders of the business community, and to all our distinguished guests, it’s my honor to join you here at the “premier economic forum” in the Indo-Pacific: the 2018 APEC CEO Summit. Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)

At this forum last year, President Donald Trump laid out the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, where, in his words, “sovereign and…

Vice President Pence and Prime Minister Lee of the Republic Of Singapore's Remarks in Joint Press Statements

"Thank you, Prime Minister Lee. Thank you for those wonderful words of friendship and partnership that has been forged through the generations, and for your leadership.Thank you all for the hospitality you’ve extended. And your entire team has been remarkable in the course of the summits that have been just been engaged.

But I must tell you, we are especially grateful to you, Mr. Prime Minister, and Mrs. Lee, for the warm welcome that you’ve extended to me and my wife Karen. And we love…

Vice President Pence’s Meeting with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea

"Vice President Mike Pence met today with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea on the margins of the East Asia Summit. Vice President Pence and President Moon reaffirmed the U.S.-ROK Alliance as the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They also discussed the ongoing efforts to accomplish our two countries’ mutual goals of achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea, as agreed to by Chairman Kim, and establishing a permanent peace on the Korean…