WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:05.020 SECRETARY POMPEO: Good morning, everyone. 00:00:05.020 --> 00:00:07.230 I want to start by marking – yeah, good morning. 00:00:07.230 --> 00:00:10.370 Good to see some new – James, great to see you back. 00:00:10.370 --> 00:00:11.370 QUESTION: Likewise. 00:00:11.370 --> 00:00:12.370 SECRETARY POMPEO: Welcome. 00:00:12.370 --> 00:00:14.450 I want to start by marking two anniversaries. 00:00:14.450 --> 00:00:19.910 First, on July 11th, the United States and Vietnam celebrated the 25th anniversary of 00:00:19.910 --> 00:00:22.730 the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. 00:00:22.730 --> 00:00:24.560 Quite an achievement. 00:00:24.560 --> 00:00:30.539 And second, this week marks the anniversaries of two terrorist attacks by Iran-backed Hizballah: 00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:35.940 the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the 00:00:35.940 --> 00:00:40.300 2012 suicide bomb targeting Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. 00:00:40.300 --> 00:00:46.020 We continue to exert maximum pressure on Tehran and call on all responsible nations to join 00:00:46.020 --> 00:00:47.489 us in that. 00:00:47.489 --> 00:00:50.930 Now, to the events of the day. 00:00:50.930 --> 00:00:53.840 Yesterday President Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and announced a series of 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:57.449 actions through a presidential executive order. 00:00:57.449 --> 00:01:01.660 As he said in May, if China treats Hong Kong as one country and a single system, so must 00:01:01.660 --> 00:01:02.660 we. 00:01:02.660 --> 00:01:06.900 General Secretary Xi Jinping made a choice to violate the Chinese Communist Party’s 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:11.530 promises to Hong Kong in – that were made in a UN-registered treaty. 00:01:11.530 --> 00:01:15.330 He didn’t have to do that; he made that choice. 00:01:15.330 --> 00:01:19.310 We have to deal with China as it is, not as we wish it to be. 00:01:19.310 --> 00:01:21.350 Other nations are arriving at the same conclusion. 00:01:21.350 --> 00:01:25.939 Australia and Canada have suspended their extradition treaties with the territory. 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:31.350 I leave on Monday for a quick trip to the United Kingdom and to Denmark, and I’m sure 00:01:31.350 --> 00:01:36.921 that the Chinese Communist Party and its threat to free peoples around the world will be high 00:01:36.921 --> 00:01:39.070 on top of that agenda. 00:01:39.070 --> 00:01:44.119 We’ll certainly take time to discuss the UK’s commendable decision to ban Huawei 00:01:44.119 --> 00:01:49.530 gear from its 5G networks and phase out the equipment from its existing networks. 00:01:49.530 --> 00:01:56.729 The UK joins the United States and now many other democracies in becoming “Clean Countries” 00:01:56.729 --> 00:02:00.840 – nations free of untrusted 5G vendors. 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:07.630 In the same way, many major telecom companies like Telefonica, Telco Italia, and NTT have 00:02:07.630 --> 00:02:10.940 become “Clean Carriers.” 00:02:10.940 --> 00:02:14.280 After my London stop, I’m equally excited to meet with my counterparts from the Kingdom 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:15.349 of Denmark. 00:02:15.349 --> 00:02:18.150 It’ll be a wonderful trip. 00:02:18.150 --> 00:02:22.800 And the United States has a Huawei announcement of our own today. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:28.819 The State Department will impose visa restrictions on certain employees of the Chinese – of 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:34.069 Chinese technology companies like Huawei that provide material support to regimes engaging 00:02:34.069 --> 00:02:40.140 in human rights violations and abuses globally. 00:02:40.140 --> 00:02:43.349 Last note on China: On Monday, for the first time, we made our policy on the South China 00:02:43.349 --> 00:02:45.390 Sea crystal clear. 00:02:45.390 --> 00:02:49.220 It’s not China’s maritime empire. 00:02:49.220 --> 00:02:52.420 If Beijing violates the international law and free nations do nothing, then history 00:02:52.420 --> 00:02:55.819 shows that the CCP will simply take more territory. 00:02:55.819 --> 00:02:59.180 That happened in the last administration. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:03.250 Our statement gives significant support to ASEAN leaders who have declared that the South 00:03:03.250 --> 00:03:09.000 China Sea disputes must be resolved through international law, not “might makes right.” 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:13.310 What the CCP does to the Chinese people is bad enough, but the free world shouldn’t 00:03:13.310 --> 00:03:17.550 tolerate Beijing’s abuses as well. 00:03:17.550 --> 00:03:18.550 Moving on. 00:03:18.550 --> 00:03:22.110 Today the Department of State is updating the public guidance for CAATSA authorities 00:03:22.110 --> 00:03:27.209 to include Nord Stream 2 and the second line of TurkStream 2. 00:03:27.209 --> 00:03:31.440 This action puts investments or other activities that are related to these Russian energy export 00:03:31.440 --> 00:03:34.500 pipelines at risk of U.S. sanctions. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:40.090 It’s a clear warning to companies aiding and abetting Russia’s malign influence projects 00:03:40.090 --> 00:03:41.430 will not be tolerated. 00:03:41.430 --> 00:03:44.739 Get out now, or risk the consequences. 00:03:44.739 --> 00:03:48.750 Let me be clear: These aren’t commercial projects. 00:03:48.750 --> 00:03:53.190 They are Kremlin’s key tools to exploit and expand European dependence on Russian 00:03:53.190 --> 00:03:58.849 energy supplies, tools that undermine Ukraine by cutting off gas transiting that critical 00:03:58.849 --> 00:04:03.510 democracy, a tool that ultimately undermines transatlantic security. 00:04:03.510 --> 00:04:07.040 The United States is always ready to help our European friends meet their energy needs. 00:04:07.040 --> 00:04:10.439 Today I have with me Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources Frank Fannon, 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:15.709 who will take questions here when I’m complete with respect to this action. 00:04:15.709 --> 00:04:19.220 A second Russia-related matter: I want to express the United States’ deep sadness 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:22.510 at the reported killing yesterday of a Ukrainian military medic. 00:04:22.510 --> 00:04:27.520 We join the people of Ukraine in condemning the ongoing, brutal aggression of Russia-led 00:04:27.520 --> 00:04:33.710 forces in the Donbas and pay tribute to Ukrainians killed and wounded fighting for their democracy. 00:04:33.710 --> 00:04:36.940 To Africa: 00:04:36.940 --> 00:04:40.470 The United States and Kenya launched the first round of negotiations for a bilateral free 00:04:40.470 --> 00:04:43.040 trade agreement on July 8th. 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:47.690 Our vision is to conclude a comprehensive, very high-standard agreement with Kenya that 00:04:47.690 --> 00:04:50.840 can serve as a model for the entire continent. 00:04:50.840 --> 00:04:55.800 In the Caucasus region, the United States is deeply concerned about the recent deadly 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:59.160 violence along the Armenia-Azerbaijan international border. 00:04:59.160 --> 00:05:02.330 We offer our condolences to all of the victims. 00:05:02.330 --> 00:05:07.050 We urge the sides to de-escalate immediately and re-establish a meaningful dialogue and 00:05:07.050 --> 00:05:11.050 a ceasefire to resume substantive negotiations with the Minsk Group as co-chairs. 00:05:11.050 --> 00:05:13.870 A little closer to home. 00:05:13.870 --> 00:05:18.419 Today, I’m announcing visa restrictions on individuals responsible for or complicit 00:05:18.419 --> 00:05:20.600 in undermining democracy in Guyana. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:26.310 Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to restrictions. 00:05:26.310 --> 00:05:31.340 The Granger government must respect the results of democratic elections and step aside. 00:05:31.340 --> 00:05:36.820 A few weeks back, I think right here, I called out the Pan-American Health Organization for 00:05:36.820 --> 00:05:41.990 failing to disclose details of the Mais Medicos program that used Cuba’s slave trade in 00:05:41.990 --> 00:05:44.470 doctors to rake in more than $1 billion. 00:05:44.470 --> 00:05:52.020 Today I welcome that organization – PAHO’s decision to initiate an independent review. 00:05:52.020 --> 00:05:56.180 Regarding Venezuela, the UN has found yet more harrowing evidence of gross human rights 00:05:56.180 --> 00:06:02.759 violations by the illegitimate Maduro regime, citing more than 1,300 extrajudicial executions 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:06.860 for political reasons in 2020 alone. 00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:11.060 International pressure on Maduro must continue until the Venezuelan people can reclaim their 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:12.810 democracy. 00:06:12.810 --> 00:06:15.990 A final item on the Western Hemisphere this morning: The United States officially assumed 00:06:15.990 --> 00:06:19.760 the chair of the Summit of Americas process on Friday of this week past. 00:06:19.760 --> 00:06:25.729 We’re looking forward to hosting the ninth Summit of Americas in 2021. 00:06:25.729 --> 00:06:30.180 Since I last spoke to you, the department has notified Congress of almost $25 billion 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:35.550 more in potential foreign military sales, including a proposed sale to Japan of 105 00:06:35.550 --> 00:06:40.460 F-35 Lightning fighter jets valued at up to $23 billion. 00:06:40.460 --> 00:06:46.660 It’s the second-largest sale – single sale notification in U.S. history. 00:06:46.660 --> 00:06:50.139 This sale and others accompanying it continue to demonstrate the robust global demand for 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:51.910 American defense partnerships. 00:06:51.910 --> 00:06:54.009 We’re helping the world in other ways too. 00:06:54.009 --> 00:06:58.410 Today we’re providing an additional $208 million to the most vulnerable nations to 00:06:58.410 --> 00:07:04.050 overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing our total now to more than $1.5 billion since 00:07:04.050 --> 00:07:06.330 the outbreak began. 00:07:06.330 --> 00:07:10.699 Pretty remarkable charity from the United States people. 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:15.770 But no American export, no amount of money is as important as our principles. 00:07:15.770 --> 00:07:19.080 Tomorrow I’ll be at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:25.270 I’ll present the public report of the State Department’s Commission on Unalienable Rights. 00:07:25.270 --> 00:07:31.039 As I explained at the Claremont Institute last year and again at Kansas State University 00:07:31.039 --> 00:07:35.610 during the Landon Lecture, this administration grounds our practice of foreign policy in 00:07:35.610 --> 00:07:37.590 America’s founding principles. 00:07:37.590 --> 00:07:42.930 There is nothing more fundamental to who we are than our reverence for unalienable rights, 00:07:42.930 --> 00:07:47.849 the basic God-given rights that every human being possesses. 00:07:47.849 --> 00:07:51.699 Whether defending the American people from threats, supporting international religious 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:56.440 freedom, or encouraging countries to secure property rights by upholding the rule of law, 00:07:56.440 --> 00:07:59.080 America defends rights and does good in the world. 00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:03.169 And tomorrow you get to hear some of my thoughts on the commission’s fine recommendations 00:08:03.169 --> 00:08:06.819 that are encompassed in the report that they’ve been working on now so diligently and for 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:08.300 so long. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:09.710 Happy to take a handful of questions. 00:08:09.710 --> 00:08:13.979 MS ORTAGUS: Okay, we’re going to attempt to give Matt Lee the first question from AP. 00:08:13.979 --> 00:08:15.009 Matt, go ahead. 00:08:15.009 --> 00:08:17.879 Are you on the line? 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:18.879 QUESTION: Hello. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:19.879 Can you hear me? 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:21.220 MS ORTAGUS: We can hear you. 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:22.220 Voice of (inaudible). 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:24.950 QUESTION: Aha, well, good morning and greetings from my basement. 00:08:24.950 --> 00:08:27.729 Mr. Secretary, it’s been a long time. 00:08:27.729 --> 00:08:32.090 I’m sure you’ve missed me as much as I’ve missed you. 00:08:32.090 --> 00:08:35.530 Can I ask (inaudible) things really quickly? 00:08:35.530 --> 00:08:43.519 One, on the Nord Stream and TurkStream sanctions, you’re saying, if I get this correctly, 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:49.540 that any company that is involved in this, even those who had been previously grandfathered 00:08:49.540 --> 00:08:54.060 in with sanctions exemptions, are now subject to those sanctions. 00:08:54.060 --> 00:08:57.410 Is that correct, number one? 00:08:57.410 --> 00:09:05.339 And then secondly, on Iran, you guys had talked about the idea of bringing the arms embargo 00:09:05.339 --> 00:09:10.640 extension resolution to the Security Council as early as this week, and that doesn’t 00:09:10.640 --> 00:09:12.050 look like it’s happening now. 00:09:12.050 --> 00:09:19.350 And I’m just wondering, are you hoping to staunch some of the opposition that you’re 00:09:19.350 --> 00:09:26.160 seeing to the resolution from the Europeans and others with a little bit more time for 00:09:26.160 --> 00:09:27.160 diplomacy? 00:09:27.160 --> 00:09:28.160 Thank you. 00:09:28.160 --> 00:09:29.160 SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you, Matt. 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:32.920 It’s good to hear your voice. 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:36.250 On the first one, so what State Department’s action today is is we’re going to revise 00:09:36.250 --> 00:09:37.959 the guidance, and you’ll see that. 00:09:37.959 --> 00:09:42.810 I’ll let Frank Fannon talk to you about the details of its implementation and its 00:09:42.810 --> 00:09:43.810 execution. 00:09:43.810 --> 00:09:50.380 But make – I think we should be very clear: Our expectation is that those who participate 00:09:50.380 --> 00:09:56.850 in the continued project will be subject to review for potential consequences related 00:09:56.850 --> 00:09:58.930 to that activity. 00:09:58.930 --> 00:10:04.440 As for Iran and timing, you suggested that we’ve delayed because of opposition. 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:09.450 In fact, virtually everyone agrees that the arms embargo should be extended. 00:10:09.450 --> 00:10:14.760 Our European counterparts too are very concerned about what will happen if the arms embargo 00:10:14.760 --> 00:10:18.010 itself expires on October 18th of this year. 00:10:18.010 --> 00:10:20.090 And so there’s enormous consensus around the objective. 00:10:20.090 --> 00:10:23.850 How to achieve that objective, there’s different views on. 00:10:23.850 --> 00:10:28.181 We’ve made clear to – both publicly and in private to all the members of the Security 00:10:28.181 --> 00:10:32.660 Council – we intend to ensure that this arms embargo continues. 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:37.750 We hope that this can be done by a UN Security Council resolution that all of the permanent 00:10:37.750 --> 00:10:43.160 members sign up for, and indeed every member of the larger UN Security Council. 00:10:43.160 --> 00:10:46.440 But in the event that that’s not the case, we are still going to do everything in our 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:51.550 power to achieve that, and we think we’ll be successful ultimately in doing that. 00:10:51.550 --> 00:10:56.320 The precise timing of that, we’re going to keep to ourselves until such time as we’re 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:59.010 ready to move to the UN Security Council and introduce the resolution. 00:10:59.010 --> 00:11:01.960 We’re not that far away from doing that, Matt. 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:04.240 MS ORTAGUS: James, go ahead. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:07.350 QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, two questions, if I may, on China. 00:11:07.350 --> 00:11:08.550 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes, sir. 00:11:08.550 --> 00:11:13.079 QUESTION: Yesterday in his lengthy remarks, President Trump indicated that it’s been 00:11:13.079 --> 00:11:17.410 quite some time since he last spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping. 00:11:17.410 --> 00:11:23.250 This suggests that there is effectively no engagement between our two countries at top 00:11:23.250 --> 00:11:24.530 levels. 00:11:24.530 --> 00:11:29.970 It seems that just about every day, or several times a week, one or the both of you announce 00:11:29.970 --> 00:11:36.019 some incremental new measure aimed at punishing the Chinese regime, but I don’t think as 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:40.190 you stand there right now that you can tell us that over the several months this has been 00:11:40.190 --> 00:11:47.950 going on without this form of engagement that there’s been any discernable change in China’s 00:11:47.950 --> 00:11:48.950 conduct. 00:11:48.950 --> 00:11:55.010 So are you essentially tilting at windmills with these various incremental steps? 00:11:55.010 --> 00:11:56.010 And then I have a follow up. 00:11:56.010 --> 00:11:59.079 SECRETARY POMPEO: Why don’t you ask your second one and I’ll take them both, James? 00:11:59.079 --> 00:12:01.680 QUESTION: If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to ask it – they’re very separate. 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.680 SECRETARY POMPEO: I do mind. 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:05.280 If you’ll ask the second one, I’ll get to it. 00:12:05.280 --> 00:12:09.720 QUESTION: In our interview a little over a year ago, Mr. Secretary, I asked you if you 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:13.839 considered Iran to be an evil regime, and you said quite simply, “Yes.” 00:12:13.839 --> 00:12:19.580 I’m wondering if, as a member of the Trump administration, as a seasoned student of and 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:26.480 practitioner of international relations, or simply as a devout Christian, you regard China 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.889 as an evil regime. 00:12:27.889 --> 00:12:31.830 SECRETARY POMPEO: So let me take the first one. 00:12:31.830 --> 00:12:35.560 You began by saying that, as the President said yesterday, he hasn’t talked to Xi Jinping 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.560 in quite some time. 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:40.450 I think the call was in March, if I remember correctly, but I’ll defer to the White House 00:12:40.450 --> 00:12:43.040 on the last time they’ve spoken. 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:44.550 But there has been high-level conversation. 00:12:44.550 --> 00:12:48.700 I traveled to Hawaii – now, it seems like a little while ago, but it was just a few 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:52.380 weeks back where I met with Yang Jiechi. 00:12:52.380 --> 00:12:57.040 We continue to have a dialogue and conversations at every level within the State Department. 00:12:57.040 --> 00:12:59.399 It’s happening in other agencies across the U.S. 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:02.980 Government too, so there’s a significant amount of conversation between the two countries. 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:06.459 What’s important, James, is that conversation has changed. 00:13:06.459 --> 00:13:10.890 That conversation is different than we’ve had, frankly, for decades between the United 00:13:10.890 --> 00:13:13.360 States and the Chinese Communist Party. 00:13:13.360 --> 00:13:17.709 It is no – and I think the – I think Chinese leadership understand it is no longer the 00:13:17.709 --> 00:13:23.110 case that it’s going to be acceptable that the United States is simply going to allow 00:13:23.110 --> 00:13:28.070 the important commercial relationships that we have between our two countries to put the 00:13:28.070 --> 00:13:31.250 American people at risk, and that’s what had happened. 00:13:31.250 --> 00:13:32.450 This isn’t political. 00:13:32.450 --> 00:13:38.350 This is multiple administrations across both of the major political parties, where for 00:13:38.350 --> 00:13:42.829 an awful long time our policy simply reflected allowing China to engage in behavior that 00:13:42.829 --> 00:13:48.070 was radically un-reciprocal, enormously unfair to the American people, and frankly, put America’s 00:13:48.070 --> 00:13:49.820 national security at risk. 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:52.510 And so we have begun to turn that around. 00:13:52.510 --> 00:13:56.670 There is still real work that needs to be done, but you can see in each of the policies 00:13:56.670 --> 00:14:03.070 that the administration’s undertaken in the last two and a half years a marked reversal. 00:14:03.070 --> 00:14:05.700 In terms of Chinese behavior, how have they responded? 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:07.680 You’ve seen the language that they use. 00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:13.660 You can see that we’re having a real impact and we will continue to do the things we need 00:14:13.660 --> 00:14:17.300 to do to make sure that the American people are safe and secure and that we have a set 00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:19.149 of fair and reciprocal relationships. 00:14:19.149 --> 00:14:22.279 That’s the end state desire. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:24.779 We want good things for the people of China. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:30.210 We have a Chinese Communist Party that is putting freedom and democracy at risk by their 00:14:30.210 --> 00:14:33.290 expansionist, imperialist, authoritarian behavior. 00:14:33.290 --> 00:14:36.950 That’s the behavior that we’re trying to see changed. 00:14:36.950 --> 00:14:39.339 We’ve still got work to do. 00:14:39.339 --> 00:14:44.260 This is a regime that failed to disclose information they had about a virus that’s now killed 00:14:44.260 --> 00:14:49.199 over 100,000 Americans, hundreds of thousands across the world, cost the global economy 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:53.779 trillions and trillions of dollars, and now is allowing the World Health Organization 00:14:53.779 --> 00:15:01.750 to go in to conduct what I am confident will be a completely, completely whitewashed investigation. 00:15:01.750 --> 00:15:03.300 I – the reason – I hope I’m wrong. 00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:05.900 I hope it’s a thorough investigation that gets fully to the bottom of it. 00:15:05.900 --> 00:15:10.040 I’ve watched the Chinese Communist Party’s behavior with respect to the virus that emanated 00:15:10.040 --> 00:15:12.040 from Wuhan, and they have simply refused. 00:15:12.040 --> 00:15:15.510 They have destroyed samples; they’ve taken journalists and doctors who were prepared 00:15:15.510 --> 00:15:20.890 to talk about this and not permitted them to do what nations that want to play on a 00:15:20.890 --> 00:15:25.850 truly global scale and global stage ought to do: be transparent and open and communicate 00:15:25.850 --> 00:15:26.850 and cooperate. 00:15:26.850 --> 00:15:31.490 And the Chinese use that word – the Chinese Communist Party talks about win-win and cooperation. 00:15:31.490 --> 00:15:36.810 Cooperation isn’t about nice language or summits, or meetings between foreign ministers. 00:15:36.810 --> 00:15:38.560 It’s about actions. 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:42.300 And that’s the expectation that we are setting for the Chinese Communist Party. 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:44.220 We need to see fair, reciprocal responses. 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:48.639 We’re hopeful that they’ll complete their requirements under the Phase One trade deal 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.959 and we’re hopeful that we’ll see changes in their behavior across the entire spectrum 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:56.120 where they have unfairly treated America for far too long. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:59.949 Your second question was about China and how we use language. 00:15:59.949 --> 00:16:04.089 I’ll leave – I’ll leave my comments about China precisely where I just left them, 00:16:04.089 --> 00:16:05.089 and previous — 00:16:05.089 --> 00:16:06.089 QUESTION: It’s a simple question. 00:16:06.089 --> 00:16:07.089 Are they — 00:16:07.089 --> 00:16:08.089 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. 00:16:08.089 --> 00:16:09.089 QUESTION: — an evil regime? 00:16:09.089 --> 00:16:10.089 SECRETARY POMPEO: I appreciate your question. 00:16:10.089 --> 00:16:11.089 I’m going to leave my comments for today precisely where it is. 00:16:11.089 --> 00:16:13.540 I will tell you, the things that are happening on a human rights scale, I’ve described 00:16:13.540 --> 00:16:15.560 it as the stain of the century. 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:17.190 I stand by those remarks. 00:16:17.190 --> 00:16:18.720 MS ORTAGUS: Nike, go ahead. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.940 QUESTION: Thank you, Morgan. 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:21.160 Good morning, Mr. Secretary. 00:16:21.160 --> 00:16:22.160 How are you? 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:23.160 SECRETARY POMPEO: I’m good, Nike. 00:16:23.160 --> 00:16:24.160 How are you today? 00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:25.160 QUESTION: Good. 00:16:25.160 --> 00:16:26.160 SECRETARY POMPEO: Good. 00:16:26.160 --> 00:16:27.160 QUESTION: Two questions, if I may. 00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:28.160 The first one is on China and Iran. 00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:30.590 The second one is on China and Taiwan. 00:16:30.590 --> 00:16:37.320 I would like to – what is your assessment of the prospective trade and military partnership 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:44.830 between Iran and China, and how would you respond to criticism that the U.S. sanctions 00:16:44.830 --> 00:16:49.450 have further strengthened the alliance between the two countries? 00:16:49.450 --> 00:16:53.420 And separately, if I may, on Taiwan and China. 00:16:53.420 --> 00:17:02.440 What is – what is your comment on China’s threats to impose sanctions on American company 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:06.329 Lockheed Martin over U.S. arms sale to Taiwan? 00:17:06.329 --> 00:17:11.929 What is the calculation of the State Department when it approved the arms sale to Taiwan? 00:17:11.929 --> 00:17:17.920 And should U.S. companies be punished when the U.S. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:21.000 Government is implementing the Taiwan Relations Act? 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.000 Thank you. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.000 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:26.049 So your second question is easy – no, of course not. 00:17:26.049 --> 00:17:30.730 We had an American company conducting business that was consistent with American foreign 00:17:30.730 --> 00:17:34.270 policy, the policy of the arms sales that we made to Taiwan. 00:17:34.270 --> 00:17:38.130 I regret that the Chinese Communist Party chose to make that threat against Lockheed 00:17:38.130 --> 00:17:39.130 Martin. 00:17:39.130 --> 00:17:42.970 It’s not the first time they’ve chosen to do that to an American contractor who was 00:17:42.970 --> 00:17:48.110 working on a program that was between the United States and Taiwan, so I regret that. 00:17:48.110 --> 00:17:53.590 I hope they’ll reconsider that and not follow through on the remarks that were made yesterday 00:17:53.590 --> 00:17:56.720 or the day before when they made them. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:59.020 Your first question was about Iran and China. 00:17:59.020 --> 00:18:02.750 I mean, we all, a little history is in order, right? 00:18:02.750 --> 00:18:04.770 Think about a long time ago – Persia. 00:18:04.770 --> 00:18:08.570 And the relationship, this is not brand-new. 00:18:08.570 --> 00:18:12.620 But I think what you saw in the reporting there, and something we’ve been following, 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:16.960 is evidence of a couple simple things. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:19.440 First, the need to extend the arms embargo, right? 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:24.549 Now we have a reporting that suggests that not only when the arms embargo will expire 00:18:24.549 --> 00:18:28.480 does the Secretary of State of the United States believe that China will sell weapons 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:33.480 systems to Iran, but the Iranians believe that China will sell systems to Iran. 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:37.570 And indeed, they have been working on it, waiting for this day, waiting for midnight 00:18:37.570 --> 00:18:40.340 on October 18th for this arms embargo to expire. 00:18:40.340 --> 00:18:45.570 I think Europeans should stare at that and realize that the risk of this is real and 00:18:45.570 --> 00:18:52.049 that the work between Iran and the Chinese Communist Party may well commence rapidly 00:18:52.049 --> 00:18:57.970 and robustly on October 19th if we’re not successful at extending the UN arms embargo. 00:18:57.970 --> 00:19:05.340 As for the larger picture, we have a set of sanctions related to any company or country 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:09.059 that engages in activity with Iran. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.130 The sanctions are clear. 00:19:10.130 --> 00:19:15.360 We have been unambiguous about enforcing them against our companies from allies, countries 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:17.049 from all across the world. 00:19:17.049 --> 00:19:21.860 We would certainly do that with respect to activity between Iran and China as well. 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:24.179 MS ORTAGUS: Sarah, go ahead. 00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:26.500 QUESTION: Good morning, Mr. Secretary. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:28.350 Two questions, if I may. 00:19:28.350 --> 00:19:29.350 First, on — 00:19:29.350 --> 00:19:30.820 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes, that seems to be the rule today, so yes. 00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:31.820 QUESTION: Yeah. 00:19:31.820 --> 00:19:32.820 (Laughter.) 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:33.820 From Channel 4 News in the UK. 00:19:33.820 --> 00:19:37.200 You know you’ve – I know you’ve commended the U.K.’s decision on Huawei. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:43.309 The decision is very much based on U.S. sanctions and the policy may change if the U.S. sanctions 00:19:43.309 --> 00:19:44.309 change. 00:19:44.309 --> 00:19:48.710 Is there any idea for a review on those sanctions? 00:19:48.710 --> 00:19:53.660 And secondly, with the coronavirus, of course there’s been restrictions on visas for UK 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:55.429 citizens entering the U.S. 00:19:55.429 --> 00:19:59.559 Both governments pride themselves on a very special relationship. 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:03.679 Is there any notice that those restrictions being relieved at all? 00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:05.470 SECRETARY POMPEO: I hope so. 00:20:05.470 --> 00:20:09.570 We are working closely not only with the United Kingdom but with countries all across the 00:20:09.570 --> 00:20:15.200 Schengen zone and across Europe more broadly, and indeed, countries in Asia as well, to 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:19.200 do our best to get the science and health right, to get international travel back open. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:20.730 It’s a complicated process. 00:20:20.730 --> 00:20:25.440 Each country has got a set of different conditions, as you can see in many countries. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:27.470 Even regionally they have different conditions on the ground. 00:20:27.470 --> 00:20:30.960 We’re trying to get that right and we certainly hope that we can get this going with the United 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.419 Kingdom just as quickly as possible. 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:35.140 I had an update – I think it was two days ago now. 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:39.130 We’re getting closer to a common set of understandings about how we’ll do that, 00:20:39.130 --> 00:20:43.049 not only that we’ll do it but the procedures that we would use so that we could execute 00:20:43.049 --> 00:20:44.140 that safely. 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:49.130 Your first question about the British decision with respect to Huawei yesterday. 00:20:49.130 --> 00:20:51.570 We were happy about it. 00:20:51.570 --> 00:20:54.430 Faster is always better to get this equipment out of their system. 00:20:54.430 --> 00:20:56.039 It’s a security risk. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:59.640 This isn’t about commercial interests, this is about protecting the information – in 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:02.210 this case, of the United Kingdom’s people. 00:21:02.210 --> 00:21:04.610 You suggested they did this because of U.S. sanctions. 00:21:04.610 --> 00:21:06.640 I don’t actually think that’s true. 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:11.860 I actually think they did this because their security teams came to the same conclusion 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:15.420 that ours have, is that you can’t protect this information. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:20.180 This information that transits across these untrusted networks that are of Chinese origin 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:23.000 will almost certainly end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.770 And so I think they did this for the right reasons. 00:21:24.770 --> 00:21:28.809 I think they did this to protect and preserve and secure the freedoms of the people of the 00:21:28.809 --> 00:21:31.690 United Kingdom, and I’m confident they’ll continue in that policy. 00:21:31.690 --> 00:21:35.470 I think Prime Minister Johnson got the complete right end of the stick on this one. 00:21:35.470 --> 00:21:38.940 I’m pleased to see that and I’m pleased to see this is happening all across the world. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.940 The tide is turning. 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:43.720 I remember questions from you all a year and a half ago that said, oh my goodness, it’s 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.590 just the United States. 00:21:45.590 --> 00:21:49.150 I think – I think the work that’s been done and the work that we’ve enabled to 00:21:49.150 --> 00:21:55.179 be done all across the world is now making clear to everyone, and that it is a real security 00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:56.179 risk. 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:57.900 Now every nation is simply asking the question: how do you do it? 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:59.220 What are the commercial impacts? 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:01.380 How quickly can you move in that direction? 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:07.370 And how do we ensure that we have available cost-effective solutions that don’t subject 00:22:07.370 --> 00:22:11.480 our people to the risk that comes from having this infrastructure inside of the countries? 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:15.630 I think in fact the tide has turned there and you’ll see this continue in countries 00:22:15.630 --> 00:22:16.630 all across the world. 00:22:16.630 --> 00:22:21.169 And you see the world’s biggest telecom providers sharing this same concern. 00:22:21.169 --> 00:22:24.080 I listed a few today; I listed a few the last time I was up here, or maybe it was the time 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:25.080 before. 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:29.070 You’re seeing private telco providers understand the risk that their companies bear from putting 00:22:29.070 --> 00:22:31.740 these untrusted vendors in their networks as well. 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:33.860 MS ORTAGUS: Michel, go ahead. 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:35.990 QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. 00:22:35.990 --> 00:22:37.940 I have two questions too. 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:44.480 You were disappointed by Turkey’s – Turkish decision to turn Hagia Sophia back into a 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.480 mosque. 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:47.549 Are you considering any sanctions on Turkey? 00:22:47.549 --> 00:22:52.730 And on Lebanon, news reports say that Hizballah and the government are waiting for the U.S. 00:22:52.730 --> 00:22:55.391 presidential election’s outcome to decide what to do. 00:22:55.391 --> 00:22:57.830 Do you have any advice for them? 00:22:57.830 --> 00:23:00.039 SECRETARY POMPEO: (Laughter.) 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:02.490 So with respect to the Hagia Sophia, we were disappointed. 00:23:02.490 --> 00:23:05.210 We regret the decision that the Turkish Government made. 00:23:05.210 --> 00:23:08.410 I don’t have anything else to add to that. 00:23:08.410 --> 00:23:14.990 As for Lebanon – I just don’t have anything else to add this morning. 00:23:14.990 --> 00:23:18.760 As for Lebanon, the Lebanese people have a simple set of demands. 00:23:18.760 --> 00:23:20.790 It’s really very straightforward. 00:23:20.790 --> 00:23:22.809 They don’t want corruption. 00:23:22.809 --> 00:23:26.100 They want a government that’s responsive to the people. 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:31.190 They want a government that is not subject to influence from the designated terrorist 00:23:31.190 --> 00:23:32.260 group Hizballah. 00:23:32.260 --> 00:23:35.039 They want what people all across the world want. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:37.190 That’s what they’re in the streets marching and asking for. 00:23:37.190 --> 00:23:39.620 They want basic economic activity restored. 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:42.740 They want taxes to be collected in a fair way. 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:45.220 These are the things that the people of Lebanon are demanding. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:47.240 They should continue to demand them. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:50.710 And when a government shows up that will do that well and do that right, I am very confident 00:23:50.710 --> 00:23:55.610 that countries from all across the world and the IMF will show up to provide them with 00:23:55.610 --> 00:24:03.450 the financing they need to execute a reform plan that is worthy of the people of Lebanon. 00:24:03.450 --> 00:24:08.380 And I think that’ll happen whether in this administration or the next one. 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:12.850 I think the United States position here has been pretty clear and is bipartisan. 00:24:12.850 --> 00:24:13.870 QUESTION: Thank you. 00:24:13.870 --> 00:24:15.580 MS ORTAGUS: Nirmal, go ahead. 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.580 Yes. 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.580 QUESTION: Thanks, Morgan. 00:24:17.580 --> 00:24:18.580 Mr. Secretary — 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:19.580 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes, sir. 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.580 QUESTION: — just one question. 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.580 (Laughter.) 00:24:21.580 --> 00:24:23.419 SECRETARY POMPEO: With two parts, right? 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:27.520 QUESTION: No, and what should we infer from your statement on the South China Sea? 00:24:27.520 --> 00:24:33.510 I mean, the fait accompli that China has created in the South China Sea, they remain in place; 00:24:33.510 --> 00:24:35.150 they remain a fait accompli. 00:24:35.150 --> 00:24:40.020 The fishing fleet, the maritime militia, they continue to operate in waters considered disputed. 00:24:40.020 --> 00:24:42.309 What are your expectations? 00:24:42.309 --> 00:24:47.090 What should we infer are your expectations of China following this strengthened U.S. 00:24:47.090 --> 00:24:48.090 position? 00:24:48.090 --> 00:24:49.370 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. 00:24:49.370 --> 00:24:54.039 So after extensive legal review, the State Department for the first time made clear what 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:55.049 we believe the law reflects. 00:24:55.049 --> 00:24:58.460 This is how the United States operates all across the world. 00:24:58.460 --> 00:25:01.710 And so we set down very clearly the markers that says these are the – these are the 00:25:01.710 --> 00:25:02.710 legal requirements. 00:25:02.710 --> 00:25:07.850 So we will then go use the tools that we have available, and we will support countries all 00:25:07.850 --> 00:25:13.150 across the world who recognize that China has violated their legal territorial claims 00:25:13.150 --> 00:25:17.770 as well – or maritime claims as well, and we’ll go provide them the assistance we 00:25:17.770 --> 00:25:22.020 can, whether that’s in multilateral bodies, whether that’s in ASEAN, whether that’s 00:25:22.020 --> 00:25:23.890 through legal responses. 00:25:23.890 --> 00:25:25.880 We use all the tools we can. 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:28.559 You used the term “fait accompli.” 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:32.929 I think things have shifted dramatically in the region. 00:25:32.929 --> 00:25:38.990 I think you’re seeing countries all throughout Asia, and indeed in Southeast Asia and in 00:25:38.990 --> 00:25:44.710 the Pacific, recognizing that the United States is prepared to do the things necessary to 00:25:44.710 --> 00:25:48.320 assist them in protecting their valid legal claims. 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.390 So I think it was really important. 00:25:49.390 --> 00:25:53.340 The statement we made on Monday, I think, was very, very important in not only demarcating 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:57.340 the United States position, but making clear that we’ll support other nations of the 00:25:57.340 --> 00:26:02.240 region that do a similar thing with respect to protecting their capacity to preserve the 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:04.570 maritime boundaries that their people are entitled to. 00:26:04.570 --> 00:26:06.950 And I’ve got time for one more. 00:26:06.950 --> 00:26:08.100 MS ORTAGUS: Ebony, go ahead. 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:09.100 QUESTION: Thank you. 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:11.190 Mr. Secretary, I have two questions if you’ll indulge me. 00:26:11.190 --> 00:26:12.190 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yes, ma’am. 00:26:12.190 --> 00:26:15.789 QUESTION: You spoke earlier about how much the U.S. relationship with China has changed 00:26:15.789 --> 00:26:17.190 over the last few decades. 00:26:17.190 --> 00:26:22.600 I’m wondering if you consider India an increasingly important trade and military partner, and 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:25.210 if those conversations are happening at a higher level. 00:26:25.210 --> 00:26:29.130 And secondly, I would like to know if there’s been any development in the negotiations with 00:26:29.130 --> 00:26:35.210 European officials on the travel ban, and as our cases continue to spike, if it’s 00:26:35.210 --> 00:26:39.299 possible that the region will remain off limits to U.S. travelers for the rest of the year. 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.590 SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. 00:26:40.590 --> 00:26:45.850 I’ll leave to the White House task force the details, but yeah, we’ve been working 00:26:45.850 --> 00:26:46.860 with the Europeans. 00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:48.180 Everyone’s trying to get it right. 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:50.350 We’re just trying to do the analysis. 00:26:50.350 --> 00:26:55.130 We know this: We know there is a way to safely travel to make sure people come here. 00:26:55.130 --> 00:26:58.550 They – we don’t create risk for them when Americans travel to their country and they 00:26:58.550 --> 00:27:00.230 don’t create increased risk when they travel here. 00:27:00.230 --> 00:27:02.100 We know there’s a way to achieve that and we’re going to do it, and we’re going 00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:03.620 to do it as quickly as possible. 00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:08.730 Your first question was about India, and you started with the predicate of our relationship 00:27:08.730 --> 00:27:11.100 with China has changed. 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:15.890 I think it’s worth noting the reason for that change is the Chinese Communist Party’s 00:27:15.890 --> 00:27:16.890 behavior. 00:27:16.890 --> 00:27:17.890 That’s important. 00:27:17.890 --> 00:27:23.720 I listen to some of the narrative that flows out of China, some of the disinformation, 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:27.360 and we – people use language like “tit for tat.” 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:29.820 This is – these aren’t tit-for-tat exchanges. 00:27:29.820 --> 00:27:35.020 This is America standing up for its own people, and the world now coming to understand the 00:27:35.020 --> 00:27:38.809 threat that the Chinese Communist Party – so to the extent there’s been a change in relationship, 00:27:38.809 --> 00:27:43.110 it is a direct result of the behavior of the Chinese Communist Party. 00:27:43.110 --> 00:27:47.190 And so when that stops, we’ll do that. 00:27:47.190 --> 00:27:48.450 India has been a great partner. 00:27:48.450 --> 00:27:52.520 I’m going to speak to the U.S.-India Business Council here in a couple of hours, I think, 00:27:52.520 --> 00:27:54.270 or maybe it’s this afternoon now. 00:27:54.270 --> 00:27:57.279 They are an important partner of ours. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:28:00.350 We – I have a great relationship with my foreign minister counterpart. 00:28:00.350 --> 00:28:03.700 We talk frequently about a broad range of issues. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:07.490 We talked about the conflict they had along their border with China. 00:28:07.490 --> 00:28:13.380 We’ve talked about the risk that emanates to China from Chinese telecommunications infrastructure 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.380 there. 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:18.700 You saw the decision they made to ban some several dozen Chinese software firms from 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:24.010 operating inside of their country or on the phones of people operating inside of India. 00:28:24.010 --> 00:28:28.760 I think the whole world is coalescing around the challenge that we face and the democracies, 00:28:28.760 --> 00:28:31.831 the free nations of the world, will push back on these challenges together. 00:28:31.831 --> 00:28:32.831 I’m very confident of that. 00:28:32.831 --> 00:28:33.831 Thanks, everybody. 00:28:33.831 --> 00:28:34.831 Thanks for joining me today. 00:28:34.831 --> 00:28:35.831 MS ORTAGUS: Frank, go ahead. 00:28:35.831 --> 00:28:36.831 SECRETARY POMPEO: Frank’s going to answer some questions for you on the revised language 00:28:36.831 --> 00:28:37.831 to our CAATSA guidance. 00:28:37.831 --> 00:28:38.831 Thanks, everybody. 00:28:38.831 --> 00:28:39.831 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: Good morning. 00:28:39.831 --> 00:28:40.831 Thank you to Secretary Pompeo for his leadership on this important issue. 00:28:40.831 --> 00:28:41.831 I’m also joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Russia Chris Robinson, who is available 00:28:41.831 --> 00:28:42.831 to answer any questions about Russia in the context of the Secretary’s announcement. 00:28:42.831 --> 00:28:43.831 As the Secretary indicated, the Department of State is taking new action against Russia, 00:28:43.831 --> 00:28:44.831 against the Kremlin, to demonstrate our continuing opposition to its Nord Stream 2 pipeline and 00:28:44.831 --> 00:28:45.831 others like it. 00:28:45.831 --> 00:28:46.831 The United States has been clear in its support for the rights of our European allies and 00:28:46.831 --> 00:28:47.831 partners to have reliable choices for energy, choices that are not conditioned on political 00:28:47.831 --> 00:28:48.831 and military pressure from the Kremlin. 00:28:48.831 --> 00:28:49.831 We’ve been hard at work assisting and promoting more energy options for Europe. 00:28:49.831 --> 00:28:50.831 These options include successes in Belarus, Croatia, and Lithuania, among many others. 00:28:50.831 --> 00:28:51.831 In contrast, the Kremlin has continued to push Nord Stream 2 in its effort to exploit 00:28:51.831 --> 00:28:52.831 and expand European dependence on Russian energy. 00:28:52.831 --> 00:28:53.831 Ukraine’s energy infrastructure serves as a deterrent to Russian aggression, yet the 00:28:53.831 --> 00:28:54.831 Kremlin now seeks to undermine Ukraine by making that infrastructure obsolete. 00:28:54.831 --> 00:28:55.831 The action Secretary Pompeo announced today is intended to counter Russian malign influence. 00:28:55.831 --> 00:28:56.831 Our action sends a clear signal about this administration’s determination to use the 00:28:56.831 --> 00:28:57.831 tools we have. 00:28:57.831 --> 00:28:58.831 We aim to support transatlantic energy security goals. 00:28:58.831 --> 00:28:59.831 The administration’s deep and longstanding concerns are shared by a strong bipartisan 00:28:59.831 --> 00:29:00.831 majority in Congress. 00:29:00.831 --> 00:29:01.831 That includes concerns about Nord Stream 2 and the second line of TurkStream, another 00:29:01.831 --> 00:29:02.831 Kremlin-backed pipeline project in Southern Europe. 00:29:02.831 --> 00:29:03.831 The Department of State is issuing updated public guidance for section 232 of CAATSA, 00:29:03.831 --> 00:29:04.831 the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, in order to expand implementation 00:29:04.831 --> 00:29:05.831 of the act. 00:29:05.831 --> 00:29:06.831 This includes investments or other activities related to a broader scope of Russian energy 00:29:06.831 --> 00:29:07.831 export pipelines for Nord Stream 2 as well as the second line of TurkStream. 00:29:07.831 --> 00:29:08.831 We know Russia’s Gazprom is attempting to protect its decades-long near-monopoly for 00:29:08.831 --> 00:29:09.831 supplying gas to Europe. 00:29:09.831 --> 00:29:10.831 Today’s update to CAATSA goes a long way to buttress our overall diplomatic approach. 00:29:10.831 --> 00:29:11.831 We’re working with our European allies and partners on projects to diversify rather than 00:29:11.831 --> 00:29:12.831 limit their options. 00:29:12.831 --> 00:29:13.831 Our ultimate goal is to enhance transatlantic energy security by way of expanded energy 00:29:13.831 --> 00:29:14.831 suppliers, routes, and types of fuel, including investments in renewables and nuclear energy. 00:29:14.831 --> 00:29:15.831 Thank you, and with that, I’m happy to take a few questions. 00:29:15.831 --> 00:29:16.831 MS ORTAGUS: Let’s try the phone line again. 00:29:16.831 --> 00:29:17.831 Want to test it out. 00:29:17.831 --> 00:29:18.831 Do we have Will Mauldin from The Wall Street Journal? 00:29:18.831 --> 00:29:19.831 Will? 00:29:19.831 --> 00:29:20.831 No? 00:29:20.831 --> 00:29:21.831 Okay. 00:29:21.831 --> 00:29:22.831 What about Lara Jakes, New York Times? 00:29:22.831 --> 00:29:23.831 Our phone line died? 00:29:23.831 --> 00:29:24.831 Yeah, I called them both. 00:29:24.831 --> 00:29:25.831 Not working. 00:29:25.831 --> 00:29:26.831 MS ORTAGUS: Okay. 00:29:26.831 --> 00:29:27.831 Nick, go ahead. 00:29:27.831 --> 00:29:28.831 QUESTION: Okay. 00:29:28.831 --> 00:29:29.831 It’s good to see you. 00:29:29.831 --> 00:29:30.831 On the Nord Stream sanctions, you just mentioned that you want to give European allies more 00:29:30.831 --> 00:29:31.831 choice for energy security, but it sounds a little like if they make the wrong choice 00:29:31.831 --> 00:29:32.831 – in other words, continue with Nord Stream 2 – that you’re going to threaten sanctions 00:29:32.831 --> 00:29:33.831 against them. 00:29:33.831 --> 00:29:34.831 That doesn’t seem like much of a choice. 00:29:34.831 --> 00:29:35.831 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: Well, in terms of the choices, we’ve been hard at work 00:29:35.831 --> 00:29:36.831 at helping the diversification efforts in Europe. 00:29:36.831 --> 00:29:37.831 Just – the Secretary spoke to a few of these, referenced some of these. 00:29:37.831 --> 00:29:38.831 I mean, Belarus, for example, has expanded its suppliers of crude oil beyond Russia; 00:29:38.831 --> 00:29:39.831 Lithuania has an LNG import vessel that brings gas from Norway, among other sources; Poland 00:29:39.831 --> 00:29:40.831 is expanding LNG terminals and considering floating LNG and sourcing through Norway as 00:29:40.831 --> 00:29:41.831 well. 00:29:41.831 --> 00:29:42.831 Many other European countries – Ukraine, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, 00:29:42.831 --> 00:29:43.831 and Romania – are further diversifying their way away from European energy. 00:29:43.831 --> 00:29:44.831 So our work is longstanding on terms of the diversification objectives. 00:29:44.831 --> 00:29:45.831 We’re very pleased by the trend line and continue to see that through. 00:29:45.831 --> 00:29:46.831 QUESTION: Just to be clear, if Germany does proceed or German companies do proceed with 00:29:46.831 --> 00:29:47.831 partnership with Russia on Nord Stream, they will face U.S. sanctions under CAATSA. 00:29:47.831 --> 00:29:48.831 Is that right? 00:29:48.831 --> 00:29:49.831 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: We’ve been clear for two years now that any parties involved 00:29:49.831 --> 00:29:50.831 in the Russian natural gas export pipeline business faces sanctions risk. 00:29:50.831 --> 00:29:51.831 We’ve been clear about that continuing on. 00:29:51.831 --> 00:29:52.831 What has changed is the continued escalation on the part of the Kremlin on this, and this 00:29:52.831 --> 00:29:53.831 is a direct response to that in terms of that guidance change. 00:29:53.831 --> 00:29:54.831 MR BROWN: Okay. 00:29:54.831 --> 00:29:55.831 For our next question, let’s try the phone lines once again. 00:29:55.831 --> 00:29:56.831 And could we try the line of Conor Finnegan? 00:29:56.831 --> 00:29:57.831 QUESTION: You probably just answered all the questions. 00:29:57.831 --> 00:29:58.831 (Laughter.) 00:29:58.831 --> 00:29:59.831 MR BROWN: Okay, so we’ll keep it in the room here. 00:29:59.831 --> 00:30:00.831 Let’s go to Kylie, in the back. 00:30:00.831 --> 00:30:01.831 QUESTION: Thank you. 00:30:01.831 --> 00:30:02.831 I do have a question for Chris, if that’s okay. 00:30:02.831 --> 00:30:03.831 MR ROBINSON: Yeah. 00:30:03.831 --> 00:30:04.831 QUESTION: So I’m just wondering, broadly speaking, how you would characterize U.S.-Russia 00:30:04.831 --> 00:30:05.831 relations at this moment in time. 00:30:05.831 --> 00:30:06.831 And yesterday on a phone call between Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Lavrov, they discussed 00:30:06.831 --> 00:30:07.831 a possible P5 meeting in the near future. 00:30:07.831 --> 00:30:08.831 I’m wondering if you can provide any more details and why it would be a good idea for 00:30:08.831 --> 00:30:09.831 President Trump and President Putin to meet at this moment in time. 00:30:09.831 --> 00:30:10.831 MR ROBINSON: Sure. 00:30:10.831 --> 00:30:11.831 So I don’t have anything specific on the P5, but I do think it speaks to the broader 00:30:11.831 --> 00:30:12.831 effort, and that is – and the President’s been clear – it would be in our interest 00:30:12.831 --> 00:30:13.831 to have better relations with Russia. 00:30:13.831 --> 00:30:14.831 We have a range of dialogues with the Russian Government across a range of different issues. 00:30:14.831 --> 00:30:15.831 But for that dialogue to improve and for the relationship to improve, Russia needs to end 00:30:15.831 --> 00:30:16.831 its aggression. 00:30:16.831 --> 00:30:17.831 Whether it’s in Ukraine or whether it’s interference in our internal affairs or the 00:30:17.831 --> 00:30:18.831 affairs and the elections of our friends and allies, Russia needs to cease its aggression 00:30:18.831 --> 00:30:19.831 for that bilateral relationship to improve. 00:30:19.831 --> 00:30:20.831 So we continue to talk to them, but like with the action we’re taking today, we’re also 00:30:20.831 --> 00:30:21.831 taking steps so that we can effectively and consistently counter Russian aggression and 00:30:21.831 --> 00:30:22.831 work with our allies and partners to do so. 00:30:22.831 --> 00:30:23.831 QUESTION: And has there been any progress in U.S.-Russia relations, would you say, over 00:30:23.831 --> 00:30:24.831 the past year? 00:30:24.831 --> 00:30:25.831 MR ROBINSON: In some ways there has been. 00:30:25.831 --> 00:30:26.831 We’ve begun discussions on arms control and strategic stability, as you’ve been 00:30:26.831 --> 00:30:27.831 briefed on in the past. 00:30:27.831 --> 00:30:28.831 We have resumed a U.S. counterterrorism – U.S.-Russia Counterterrorism Dialogue in order to protect 00:30:28.831 --> 00:30:29.831 our national interests. 00:30:29.831 --> 00:30:30.831 We’ve had very frank conversations about where we disagree, whether it’s interference 00:30:30.831 --> 00:30:31.831 in our affairs, Russia’s own treatment of its own citizens. 00:30:31.831 --> 00:30:32.831 We have a very frank conversation about that, because we have the dialogue channels. 00:30:32.831 --> 00:30:33.831 But we’ve also been effective at countering Russian aggression. 00:30:33.831 --> 00:30:34.831 And again, the action today helps us reinforce that message so that hopefully over time we 00:30:34.831 --> 00:30:35.831 can get the relationship on a better footing. 00:30:35.831 --> 00:30:36.831 QUESTION: Thank you. 00:30:36.831 --> 00:30:37.831 MR BROWN: Torsten. 00:30:37.831 --> 00:30:38.831 QUESTION: Yeah. 00:30:38.831 --> 00:30:39.831 Back to Nord Stream and Germany. 00:30:39.831 --> 00:30:40.831 And the question is, when you say you’re adjusting the guidelines, does it mean that 00:30:40.831 --> 00:30:41.831 you are not getting the concern from the Europeans like that you were expecting for your cause 00:30:41.831 --> 00:30:42.831 and in addressing Russia? 00:30:42.831 --> 00:30:43.831 And if so, why not? 00:30:43.831 --> 00:30:44.831 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: Not quite sure I understand the question. 00:30:44.831 --> 00:30:45.831 QUESTION: So when you talk to your European partners, and you’re saying now you have 00:30:45.831 --> 00:30:46.831 to adjust the issue of Nord Stream (inaudible) sanctions (inaudible), is it that when you 00:30:46.831 --> 00:30:47.831 talk to your European partners – Germany, France, et cetera – is it that you don’t 00:30:47.831 --> 00:30:48.831 get the same level of concern about Russia that you have, or – and if so, why? 00:30:48.831 --> 00:30:49.831 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: We see a growing concern in Europe for the – Russia’s ability 00:30:49.831 --> 00:30:50.831 to use energy for malign purposes. 00:30:50.831 --> 00:30:51.831 But in terms of the specific countries, why don’t I ask Chris to comment? 00:30:51.831 --> 00:30:52.831 MR ROBINSON: Sure. 00:30:52.831 --> 00:30:53.831 I think you see a growing majority of countries that are concerned about Nord Stream 2 and 00:30:53.831 --> 00:30:54.831 the impact it would have on European energy security or, as Frank laid out, enabling Russian 00:30:54.831 --> 00:30:55.831 aggression. 00:30:55.831 --> 00:30:56.831 And so we are adding our voice to those European voices today that are concerned about Russian 00:30:56.831 --> 00:30:57.831 aggression and how do we effectively counter that. 00:30:57.831 --> 00:30:58.831 The tools that we have made available today help reinforce that message. 00:30:58.831 --> 00:30:59.831 QUESTION: Sorry, my question is also for Chris, but I do appreciate you being here. 00:30:59.831 --> 00:31:00.831 It is nice to see you and we do still love you. 00:31:00.831 --> 00:31:01.831 In the Lavrov call yesterday, I’m wondering if the topic of Russian bounties in Afghanistan 00:31:01.831 --> 00:31:02.831 came up and if that was addressed. 00:31:02.831 --> 00:31:03.831 MR ROBINSON: I can’t get into all of our discussions. 00:31:03.831 --> 00:31:04.831 I think the Secretary’s been very clear that we have a frank conversation with Russia 00:31:04.831 --> 00:31:05.831 with regard to Afghanistan. 00:31:05.831 --> 00:31:06.831 We have taken steps to address all threats, and we will continue to do so. 00:31:06.831 --> 00:31:07.831 Whether it’s from Russia or Iran or any other actor, we will take the steps necessary. 00:31:07.831 --> 00:31:08.831 But I think sort of pivoting back to what we’re talking about today, we are consistent 00:31:08.831 --> 00:31:09.831 about pushing back against Russian aggression. 00:31:09.831 --> 00:31:10.831 That’s what we’re doing today with our steps with regard to expanding CAATSA authorities 00:31:10.831 --> 00:31:11.831 to protect European energy security, and we will be and have been consistent in pushing 00:31:11.831 --> 00:31:12.831 back on Russian aggression wherever we find it. 00:31:12.831 --> 00:31:13.831 QUESTION: You can’t say if that specific issue was addressed? 00:31:13.831 --> 00:31:14.831 MR ROBINSON: Again, I don’t have anything to address on that conversation, but this 00:31:14.831 --> 00:31:15.831 – Secretary’s been very clear about Russia and Afghanistan. 00:31:15.831 --> 00:31:16.831 QUESTION: Thank you. 00:31:16.831 --> 00:31:17.831 MR BROWN: All right. 00:31:17.831 --> 00:31:18.831 Let’s take one last swipe at going to the phone lines. 00:31:18.831 --> 00:31:19.831 (Laughter.) 00:31:19.831 --> 00:31:20.831 And let’s try Will Mauldin, from The Wall Street Journal. 00:31:20.831 --> 00:31:21.831 Okay. 00:31:21.831 --> 00:31:22.831 Can’t say we didn’t try. 00:31:22.831 --> 00:31:23.831 We’ll take one or – maybe one or two more. 00:31:23.831 --> 00:31:24.831 James? 00:31:24.831 --> 00:31:25.831 QUESTION: My question is for the assistant secretary. 00:31:25.831 --> 00:31:26.831 You’re familiar with the maxim that war is a continuation of politics by other means. 00:31:26.831 --> 00:31:27.831 And I wonder how you might assess the view from Russia or from other observers that with 00:31:27.831 --> 00:31:28.831 these kinds of moves announced today, the United States is simply pursuing energy competition 00:31:28.831 --> 00:31:29.831 via other means. 00:31:29.831 --> 00:31:30.831 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: That’s a false narrative, and I suspect you referenced the 00:31:30.831 --> 00:31:31.831 narratives coming from Russia. 00:31:31.831 --> 00:31:32.831 And their – it’s in their interest to convey that idea. 00:31:32.831 --> 00:31:33.831 We’ve been consistent in supporting diversification regardless of where that energy comes from 00:31:33.831 --> 00:31:34.831 or the type of energy. 00:31:34.831 --> 00:31:35.831 We’ve continued to and are very pleased to see the Southern Gas Corridor moving – bringing 00:31:35.831 --> 00:31:36.831 their gas in over to Western Europe. 00:31:36.831 --> 00:31:37.831 That’s moving forward finally. 00:31:37.831 --> 00:31:38.831 We’re very pleased to see that happen. 00:31:38.831 --> 00:31:39.831 The Secretary has been a leader in promoting energy development in the Eastern Mediterranean, 00:31:39.831 --> 00:31:40.831 and so that’s another area of, again, non-U.S. gas coming in, but it’s for the purposes 00:31:40.831 --> 00:31:41.831 of improving the diversity and the security of Europe. 00:31:41.831 --> 00:31:42.831 We’re certainly proud of the U.S. energy as an important component to support the security 00:31:42.831 --> 00:31:43.831 of friends and allies around the world, but that’s not the primary objective here. 00:31:43.831 --> 00:31:44.831 The primary objective is to improve the resilience and the security of European nations to diversify 00:31:44.831 --> 00:31:45.831 away from a variety of sources. 00:31:45.831 --> 00:31:46.831 Some of those are including developing sources like those I mentioned in the Eastern Med. 00:31:46.831 --> 00:31:47.831 MR BROWN: Okay. 00:31:47.831 --> 00:31:48.831 One last question in the back. 00:31:48.831 --> 00:31:49.831 Tracy. 00:31:49.831 --> 00:31:50.831 QUESTION: Thank you. 00:31:50.831 --> 00:31:51.831 Final point on Russia, sorry, for Chris, or actually, for either of you. 00:31:51.831 --> 00:31:52.831 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: Would you answer? 00:31:52.831 --> 00:31:53.831 QUESTION: Given what you’ve said about Russia’s malign behavior, is it still the plan to invite 00:31:53.831 --> 00:31:54.831 them to join a G7 meeting, and would you recommend that they be invited? 00:31:54.831 --> 00:31:55.831 MR ROBINSON: So the Secretary has answered this before that this is a discussion for 00:31:55.831 --> 00:31:56.831 the G7 members and the – but it is important to have dialogue with Russia. 00:31:56.831 --> 00:31:57.831 But we’ve also been clear and consistent about calling out Russia and holding Russia 00:31:57.831 --> 00:31:58.831 to account for its malign activities. 00:31:58.831 --> 00:31:59.831 And so those two elements of our bilateral relationship will continue, and we will continue 00:31:59.831 --> 00:32:00.831 to do that in partnership with our G7 partners and with all of our NATO and European allies 00:32:00.831 --> 00:32:01.831 and partners. 00:32:01.831 --> 00:32:02.831 QUESTION: Thank you. 00:32:02.831 --> 00:32:02.835 ASSISTANT SECRETARY FANNON: Thanks.