President Joe Biden will host a final Quad Leaders Summit later this month in his home state of Delaware, bringing together the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan for a key strategic meeting focused on the Indo-Pacific region, Bloomberg reports.
The summit, scheduled for September 21, will mark the first time President Biden has hosted foreign leaders in Wilmington since taking office. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the significance of the location, calling it “a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders, and the importance of the Quad to all of our countries.”
The Quad, comprised of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, has emerged as a key pillar of Biden’s foreign policy, aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the region. The summit comes at a critical time, with tensions rising between the US and China over various issues including trade, technology, and Taiwan.
Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese of Australia, Narendra Modi of India, and Fumio Kishida of Japan will attend the summit. Notably, this will be Kishida’s final appearance as Japanese Prime Minister, as he is expected to step down later this month due to an internal party leadership contest.
The summit agenda will cover a range of critical issues, including maritime security, infrastructure development, critical and emerging technologies, climate change, clean energy, and cybersecurity. The White House said the aim of the summit was “advancing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and delivering concrete benefits for partners in the Indo-Pacific in key areas.”
The summit takes place amidst a heated presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, where China has become a central campaign issue. Both candidates are stressinga tough stance towards China, with Trump pledging to impose steep tariffs on Chinese goods and Harris expected to continue Biden’s “intensive diplomacy” aimed at limiting Beijing’s access to advanced technologies.