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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Protecting U.S. Investors from Financing Communist Chinese Military Companies
"President Trump took decisive action last month to protect American investors and pension holders from funding Communist Chinese military companies (CCMCs) through Executive Order (13959) Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies. The Trump Administration is coordinating closely to counter the threat these companies present to the economy and national security of the United States.
Today, the Treasury Department noted that Executive Order 13959 prohibits the ownership of any CCMC shares by exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds, as well…
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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 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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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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Secretary Pompeo And Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much. Madam Minister, thank you. Hello, everyone. It’s great to see you again, and it’s wonderful to be back here in Indonesia. I visited here early in my tenure as Secretary of State, but once was certainly not enough. Good to be back. It was important for me to return to keep strengthening this foundational, pivotal relationship in Southeast Asia.
And Madam Minister, I want to say to you how much I’ve appreciated your engagement on the Afghanistan peace process…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a strong, sovereign Sri Lanka and to advancing our shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and President Rajapaksa discussed post-pandemic economic recovery and development and noted the benefits of long-term U.S. private sector trade and investment, which offers sustainable, transparent, and high-quality partnership. The Secretary also stressed the importance of strengthening democratic governance, human…
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Secretary Pompeo and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at a Press Availability
"SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Hello, everyone. It’s wonderful to be in here, Colombo. It’s most special because indeed, as you said, we’re one day short of 72 years of our diplomatic relations between our two countries, a remarkable anniversary for each of us.
The foreign minister and I had a great conversation. I had a chance to congratulate him on his reappointment – well done – and had a very positive conversation with President Rajapaksa a bit earlier this morning as…
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Secretary Pompeo With Indeewari Amuwatte of Derana TV
"QUESTION: Thank you for your time here with us in Colombo, Secretary Pompeo. Your visit here is termed crucial. It’s seen as a rare one and peculiar given the timing of the visit. What’s so important that you had to communicate at this juncture?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Well, thanks for giving me a chance to be with you. I appreciate it. It’s been wonderful to be here in Colombo.
Look, the – I’m in this region a lot. I had planned to come here earlier. The…
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Secretary Pompeo With Shekhar Gupta of The Print
"QUESTION: We’ve kept you busy, Secretary, in Delhi – what, 18 hours – on 19 hours, and I know that you’ve heard the word “China” more times than you can count. Now, we know that China is knocking at our doorsteps and that’s a clear and present issue. But what is there to this relationship that goes beyond the China problem?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. So, many things. This was a good relationship long before the Chinese Communist Party started causing as much trouble as they’re…
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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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Secretary Pompeo with Hrvoje Kresic of N1 TV - China
"QUESTION: But it seems that a gap has appeared. Fifty miles from here there’s the Peljesac Bridge being built by Chinese companies. It’s hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of (inaudible) and it’s being built by Chinese companies, not by U.S. companies. How do you explain that?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. Well, that’s a sovereign decision that was made here. Our view has been pretty consistent with respect to how we should treat the Chinese Communist Party all across the world. When they show up, when…