First Quad Meeting Under Trump 2.0: A Clear and Stern Message to China

First Quad Ministerial Meeting Highlights Indo-Pacific Security and Strategic Priorities

January 22, 2025: Washington DC:
On his first full day in office, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the Quad ministerial meeting with Australia, India, and Japan, sending a clear warning against coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific region. This marked the first major diplomatic engagement since Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term as US President.

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The Quad leaders—Marco Rubio, Australia’s Penny Wong, India’s Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya—restated their “shared commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld.”

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Warning to China

In a joint statement, the Quad ministers explicitly opposed any “unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” indirectly addressing China’s assertive claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

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India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, emphasized the significance of the meeting, noting on social media, “The Quad meeting underlines the priority the Indo-Pacific holds in the foreign policy of its member states.”

Strengthening Alliances

Rubio also held separate discussions with each of the Quad foreign ministers, further emphasizing the US’s strategic pushback against Beijing’s territorial ambitions. The meeting reaffirmed plans for a Quad leaders’ summit in India, likely requiring an early visit by Trump to New Delhi.

The Quad’s agenda focuses on countering China’s growing influence and fostering collaboration in areas such as maritime security and economic resilience. Analysts view these developments as signaling that countering Beijing remains a top priority under Trump’s administration.

Background on China Relations

China has consistently criticized the Quad as a US-led initiative to encircle and contain its rise in Asia. The Quad grouping, originally envisioned by late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has gained traction over successive US administrations as a counterbalance to Beijing’s military and economic power.

Looking Ahead

As part of its renewed Indo-Pacific strategy, the Trump administration is expected to bolster ties with Quad members while maintaining a firm stance against China’s regional ambitions. Rubio’s confirmation hearing underscored this resolve, with a vow to deter Beijing from threatening Taiwan’s sovereignty.

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Tags: Quad Meeting, US Foreign Policy, Indo-Pacific Security, China Relations, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump Administration, S Jaishankar, Penny Wong, Takeshi Iwaya, Taiwan Issue, Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific Strategy, South China Sea.