Biden to Host First In-Person Quad Summit With Eye on China

Strengthening ties between the US, Japan, Australia, and India is a key aspect of Biden's strategy against China

President Biden will host the leaders of Japan, India, and Australia at the White House on September 24th. The summit will mark the first in-person meeting between the leaders of the Quad, a four-nation group that the Biden administration seeks to strengthen as part of its anti-China strategy.

The Quad, also known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, was first started in 2007. But the group was disbanded shortly after its formation, as some members feared sending the wrong message to China. In 2017, the Trump administration agreed with the other Quad nations to revive the group as tensions with China grew.

In 2020, the Quad nations held their first military drills together since 2007 and have held more this year. Many in Washington view the Quad as a foundation for an anti-China NATO-style alliance in Asia.

In March, Biden and other Quad leaders held a virtual summit, which the White House described as the “first-ever Quad Leaders-level engagement in March.”

Announcing the in-person summit, the White House said it demonstrates the Biden administration’s commitment to engaging the “Indo-Pacific,” a term the US uses to describe a region that stretches from India to the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

“The Quad Leaders will be focused on deepening our ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas such as combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, partnering on emerging technologies and cyberspace, and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the White House said.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.