Published
January 27, 2025
The Quad — the diplomatic group that brings together the United States with Australia, India, and Japan — is poised to play a substantial role in U.S. strategy in the critical Indo-Pacific region as the Trump administration settles into office.
In his first major meetings after his unanimous confirmation by the Senate, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of Australia, India, and Japan on January 21 to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the Quad and its core values. The officials signaled a commitment to work as close partners, including in addressing concerns around China.
Alliance Down Under
Reflecting a strong degree of continuity with past administrations, Rubio’s joint statement with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong recognized the importance of the U.S.-Australia Alliance and continued security cooperation through AUKUS and other initiatives, including in critical minerals. In remarks to the press, Wong called the meeting “warm and constructive” and emphasized the important signal that the Quad meeting, coming so soon after the inauguration, sent about the priority the Trump Administration places on the Indo-Pacific.
Indian Partnership
Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar attended President Trump’s inauguration and was prominently seated in the front row. Jaishankar was also the first foreign counterpart to call on newly confirmed Secretary Rubio, signaling the priority both Delhi and Washington place on the bilateral relationship.
Jaishankar also met with the Congressional India Caucus leaders. India continues to leverage its Quad membership even as it works to reset relations with Beijing after years of border tensions. India also wants to use the Quad to strengthen its supply chains in partnership with the U.S. and other friendly nations and reduce critical dependencies on China. Delhi and Washington are likely to continue their focus on technology collaboration and may seek to expand these efforts to become a broader Quad initiative.
Japan the Cornerstone
Japan reiterated its commitment to its growing defense expenditures, which it believes are necessary to address security concerns sparked by Chinese territorial claims in the East China Sea and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya specifically raised Japan’s ongoing territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands, the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea, and North Korea’s nuclear and missile development as top concerns it wants to address via the Quad.
Iwaya’s attendance at President Trump’s inauguration and the array of meetings he held with top administration officials afterward signals Japan’s strong commitment to ensuring the U.S.-Japan relationship continues to flourish in this new environment. Prime Minister Shigeo Ishiba is rumored to be planning a visit to Washington to meet with President Trump in the coming months.
Next Steps
The Quad aims to hold a leader’s summit in India later this year, and Prime Minister Modi is eager to host President Trump on one of his first foreign trips. Whether it will come to pass depends largely on the flow of events, but this early meeting is a positive signal that the Trump Administration will continue to support the Quad.
About the authors
John G. Murphy
John Murphy directs the U.S. Chamber’s advocacy relating to international trade and investment policy and regularly represents the Chamber before Congress, the administration, foreign governments, and the World Trade Organization.
