Biden intends to conclusively solidify the Quad partnership through a summit in his hometown.
The current partnership is set to transition into a new phase as half of its head honchos – President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida – are set to step down. With a goal to leave a lasting impact on his foreign policy, the president is looking towards alliances such as the Quad to initiate a closing diplomatic chapter, counteracting China's increasing influence as he prepares to pass the baton to a new leadership.
Despite reassurances about the endurance of the Quad coalition, the impending power shift in the United States, with potential leader options like Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, and their expected policies towards alliances and China, could cast a significant shadow over this weekend's gathering. As the quartet strategizes future steps, they will be evaluating the incoming direction and approach.
The Quad, which President Biden elevated to top-tier status at the start of his term, serves as a vital cornerstone of his Indo-Pacific strategy. Anticipated discussions regarding China's contentious behavior in the South-China Sea will likely be at the forefront when the leaders join forces on Saturday, as US officials have hinted.
National security counselor John Kirby has communicated his expectation that the leaders will discuss the obstacles lingering in the region due to China's aggressive military activities, undesirable trade practices, and complications surrounding the Taiwan Strait.
During their fourth meet-up, the leaders are anticipated to announce developments in maritime security and inter-Coast Guard collaboration. Furthermore, they will focus on collaborating on humanitarian aid and disaster response initiatives, infrastructure improvement, and emerging technologies.
The most personal announcement for the president will involve the launch of a joint initiative to combat cancer alongside the Quad leaders. This project, an extension of the president's “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, aims to reduce cervical cancer incidents in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting more cervical cancer screenings and HPV vaccinations.
The Cancer Moonshot is among the president's most personal White House initiatives, inspired by the loss of his son Beau due to brain cancer. The program, which was founded to eradicate cancer, gained additional funding in 2022 to boost forward-thinking cancer research.
As the president strives to leave a personal touch on his final meeting with Prime Ministers Kishida, Albanese, and Modi, he will welcome them to Wilmington, Delaware, approximately 100 miles north of Washington D.C., home to about 71,000 people. Originally intended for the Indian government to host the Quad summit this year, the roles were swapped as the president's tenure drew to a close. The leaders will be gathering in New York City for the UN General Assembly soon after this meeting.
Over the course of connecting with each leader, Biden will engage in private meetings at his weekend retreat where he frequently resides. He will meet with Albanese on Friday, followed by sessions with Kishida and Modi on Saturday. These confidential conversations will be kept from the press's view, deviating from the norm for the president's previous bilateral meetings where reporters usually witness at least a fragment of the event.
The main Quad gathering will take place at Archmere Academy, a private Catholic institution Biden attended in Claymont, Delaware. The lineup includes a leaders' meeting, a Cancer Moonshot event, and a private dinner.
Multiple US presidents have leveraged their personal residences to cultivate close bonds with world leaders. In 1983, President Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan welcomed Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to their ranch in Santa Ynez Mountains, California. Rain impeded horseback riding plans, but the royals still visited with the Reagans during a Mexican-inspired lunch.
President George W. Bush twice invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to his family homes – once to his ranch in Crawford, Texas, in 2001, and again to Walker's Point, the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 2007. During these interactions, the leaders went fishing and discussed missile defense systems amidst their talks.
Trump, while in office, often extended invitations to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, to various world leaders. A forum with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe featured an afternoon of golf and transformed into an impromptu diplomatic strategy session, as the leaders learned of an unexpected missile launch by North Korea during a dinner at the private club.
As Biden embraces his own hometown diplomacy this weekend, Kirby emphasizes his intentions to provide the leaders with "a place and a community that molded so much of the public servant and the leader he became." He adds, "It’s also a reflection of his belief that, like politics, foreign policy is also personal."
The upcoming political transition in the United States, with potential leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, might significantly influence the Quad's strategies towards China and future alliances. Among the pressing topics at the leaders' meeting will be discussions about China's actions in the South-China Sea and its impact on regional politics.
