Ricketts, Cotton, Colleagues Applaud President Trump on “Historic Success” of Asia Trip

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, & International Cybersecurity Policy, and Tom Cotton (R-AR), the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, led six colleagues in applauding President Donald Trump's successful trip to Asia last week. The lawmakers thanked President Trump for achieving trade deals that will benefit American farmers, workers, businesses, and innovators while protecting national security.

"Thankfully, we have a President that puts America first and protects our greatest assets," the lawmakers wrote. "Your leadership has ushered America into a Golden Era of relations with our allies and partners in the region and delivered outstanding results for the American people once again. The agreements that you secured mark a major milestone in ensuring that American farmers, workers, businesses, and innovators reap the benefits of fair and reciprocal trade."

The lawmakers also applauded President Trump for securing concessions from Communist China without compromising American leadership in key technologies.

"We understand the delicate balance you struck during the negotiations was not easy," The lawmakers continued. "Your determination while engaging with Dictator Xi Jinping secured results on fentanyl, agricultural purchases, and critical minerals where others could not. Unlike your predecessors, who may have wavered and given away our greatest leverage, you managed to extract real concessions from Communist China while preserving American dominance. We applaud your foresight and wisdom in continuing to withhold America's most advanced semiconductors from Communist China, including NVIDIA's Blackwell."

"As you have said, America is the country that started the AI race, and this decision will help ensure America wins that race," the lawmakers concluded. "Thank you again, Mr. President, for your unwavering dedication to putting America first and your unique ability to achieve outcomes that strengthen our economy, safeguard our technology, and reaffirm U.S. leadership on the global stage."

Additional signers included Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jim Banks (R-IN), John Cornyn (R-TX), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear President Trump,

We write to congratulate you on your historic success advancing American prosperity and security on your recent trip to Asia. Thankfully, we have a President that puts America first and protects our greatest assets. Your leadership has ushered America into a Golden Era of relations with our allies and partners in the region and delivered outstanding results for the American people once again.

The agreements that you secured mark a major milestone in ensuring that American farmers, workers, businesses, and innovators reap the benefits of fair and reciprocal trade. For instance, your successful negotiations with Japan and South Korea will bring nearly one trillion dollars of investment into America's economy. And you have brought peace to yet another longstanding conflict, this time between Thailand and Cambodia.

Finally, as you have rightly recognized in the past, Communist China is a dangerous and formidable adversary that has waged economic warfare on American farmers and manufacturers. Additionally, decades of mismanagement by previous administrations have led to entanglement with a regime whose actions have put our national security at risk. We understand the delicate balance you struck during the negotiations was not easy.

Your determination while engaging with Dictator Xi Jinping secured results on fentanyl,

agricultural purchases, and critical minerals where others could not. Unlike your predecessors, who may have wavered and given away our greatest leverage, you managed to extract real concessions from Communist China while preserving American dominance. We applaud your foresight and wisdom in continuing to withhold America's most advanced semiconductors from Communist China, which includes NVIDIA's Blackwell. As you have said, America is the country that started the AI race, and this decision will help ensure America wins that race.

Thank you again, Mr. President, for your unwavering dedication to putting America first and your unique ability to achieve outcomes that strengthen our economy, safeguard our technology, and reaffirm U.S. leadership on the global stage.