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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President Trump's Remarks on “Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018”
"Today, I have signed into law S. 2736, the “Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018” (the “Act”). Several provisions of the Act, including sections 101, 102, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 208, 209, 210, 211, 213, 216, 306, 307, 406, and 410, purport to dictate the policy of the United States in external military and foreign affairs, or to require the executive branch to undertake certain diplomatic initiatives with international partners."
To read the full text of the “Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018” click here.
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Steve Inskeep of NPR - North Korea
"QUESTION: Let me ask about another subject. Has North Korea’s Kim Jong-un let you down?
SECRETARY POMPEO: We’ve known from the very first trip that I took when I was in a previous role that the challenge of denuclearizing North Korea was not one that would be something that would be easy or without bumps in the road or would occur in a way that was like instant pudding. The world doesn’t quite work that way.
We have diplomatically, relentlessly worked to support the President’s…
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Joint Statement by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen: Chinese Actors Compromise Global Managed Service Providers
"Since at least 2014, Chinese cyber actors associated with the Chinese Ministry of State Security have hacked multiple U.S. and global managed service and cloud providers. These Chinese actors used this access to compromise the networks of the providers’ clients, including global companies located in at least 12 countries.
The United States is concerned that this activity violates the 2015 U.S.-China cyber commitments made by President Xi Jinping to refrain from conducting or knowingly supporting “cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other…
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Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr.
"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr., at the Department of State today. The Secretary reaffirmed the enduring U.S.-Philippines alliance, including commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951. The two Secretaries discussed ongoing efforts to address regional issues such as the South China Sea, North Korea, and counterterrorism. Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Locsin also explored opportunities to increase people-to-people ties between our two countries, our longstanding commitment to human rights, and our cooperation to strengthen the Philippines’…
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Secretary Mattis' Resignation Letter - Alliances and China
"One core belief I have always held is that our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships. While the US remains the indispensable nation in the free world, we cannot protect our interests or serve that role effectively without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies. Like you, I have said from the beginning that the armed forces of the United States should not be the policeman of the world…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Steve and Ted in the Morning of KNSS Radio - North Korea and China
"QUESTION: Just fine. And we certainly are able to keep track of you these days. You are front and center. This is – could you please, first of all, update us on what’s happening between the U.S. and North Korea these days?
SECRETARY POMPEO: You bet. So, Ted, first of all, thanks for giving me a few minutes to come back on the show. I have great memories of doing this when I was a member of Congress. And now I got this privilege where…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Brian Grimmett of KMUW Wichita Public Radio - China
"QUESTION: My first question is kind of a two-part question. And the first part of it is, what is it – from your perspective as Secretary of State and what you do working with other countries’ leaders, what is kind of the goal of the tariffs with China? And is achieving that goal worth the cost to farmers and manufacturers here in the United States?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So the President’s mission with respect to trade in China is very, very clear. I saw this when…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Brian Grimmett of KMUW Wichita Public Radio - North Korea
"QUESTION: Just lastly, because our time is running short, what are the next steps in talks or plans for talks with North Korea? And do you think that they are living up to some of the agreements that President Trump made the last time that he met with Kim Jong-un?
SECRETARY POMPEO: So I never talk about the actual discussions we’re having, because they’re private conversations on how to work our pathway forward toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We’re very hopeful that we…
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Secretary Pompeo's Interview With Bryce Dolan of 550 KFRM-AM - China
"QUESTION: So switching topics here, Mr. Secretary, leading up to ongoing trade negotiations. How would you explain China’s attitude towards the United States?
SECRETARY POMPEO: China has had for a long time before this administration an incredibly unfair trade relationship with our country. I saw that when I was a member of Congress from Kansas. Farmers who tried to sell their products into China, our aviation builders, our manufacturers all across the state couldn’t get a fair shake. There weren’t reciprocal, fair arrangements between the…
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President Donald J. Trump Signs H.R. 1872, Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018, into Law
"On Wednesday, December 19, 2018, the President signed into law: H.R. 1872, the “Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018,” which promotes access for diplomats, other officials, journalists, and others from the United States to Tibetan areas of China."