Is the US Still Committed to Its Quad Partners?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration is committed to working closely with Quad partners.
- The collaboration among Quad nations is considered highly productive.
- Concerns exist about US commitment to the Indo-Pacific amidst discussions of a 'G2' relationship with China.
- Casey Mace emphasizes that labels can be misleading regarding US engagements.
- The Quad aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Washington, Nov 7 (NationPress) A high-ranking official from the State Department informed IANS that the Trump administration is dedicated to maintaining strong collaboration with its Quad allies, and this partnership is set to persist in the future.
Addressing an inquiry from IANS at the State Department, Casey Mace, the US Senior Official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC), described the cooperation among the Quad partners as “highly productive.”
“I want to affirm that we are actively collaborating with our Quad partners. This arrangement has proven to be exceptionally beneficial for us to work alongside these close allies, and our efforts will carry on,” Mace stated to IANS.
However, he did not confirm the schedule for the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit in India, indicating that he had “nothing to announce” at this time.
The Quad represents an informal strategic alliance among four democratic nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—committed to fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific.
His remarks came on a day when US President Donald Trump expressed intentions to visit India soon, lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “remarkable leader” and his “friend.”
“He’s my friend, and we keep in touch. He wishes for me to visit. We will arrange that. He’s a great man, and I will be going,” he told reporters at the White House on Thursday.
Mace also sought to reassure US allies and partners in Asia regarding Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy.
Concerns have arisen among experts about the US commitment to the region after President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently framed US relations with China under a “G2” banner.
On October 30, Trump posted on Truth Social, “The G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY!” just hours before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Nevertheless, Mace contended that such labels are a “distraction” and fail to accurately represent the reality of US interactions.
“The United States cherishes its partnerships with all allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region, and I believe labels can be misleading. What truly matters is the energy and investment we are committing to our partnerships and alliances, which should clearly indicate their importance to us. Therefore, I would emphasize the need to consider the entirety of the United States’ actions in the region with our partners and allies, and draw insights from that,” he told IANS.