Thu Sep 19 07:27:35 UTC 2024: ## Quad Leaders to Meet in Delaware, Focusing on Indo-Pacific Cooperation and Countering China
**Wilmington, DE** – President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Japan, India, and Australia this Saturday at his Delaware home for a summit of the Quad, a grouping of four Indo-Pacific nations. The White House emphasizes the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening this partnership, viewing it as crucial to a “free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
The summit will address key concerns like illegal fishing in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with the U.S. announcing new measures to combat this issue, particularly targeting Chinese fishing fleets.
While officials highlight the Quad’s focus on cooperation in areas like health, infrastructure, and maritime security, analysts point to the group’s role in managing the growing rivalry with China.
“The real agenda is not spoken about,” says Rafiq Dossani of the RAND Corporation. “It’s how to manage the rivalry with China.” Each member nation has its own concerns about China’s growing influence in the region.
The meeting comes amidst a heated U.S. election campaign where China is a central issue. While Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to continue Biden’s cautious approach to China, former President Donald Trump has taken a more aggressive stance, advocating for increased tariffs and accusing Chinese automakers of unfair competition.
The Quad summit, though focusing on broader Indo-Pacific cooperation, offers a platform for the four democracies to engage in strategic discussions and address the growing challenges posed by China’s ambitions in the region.
First Piper 