Quad is not an anti-China or anti-anybody coalition, says Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified the grouping's position in Atlanta while noting certain behaviours come repeatedly from one nation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Saturday that the Quad is not a format designed to be against any specific country. Speaking to reporters in Atlanta, Rubio said the grouping is a cooperative arrangement between four nations that share common interests. He noted that while the group expresses concern regarding certain activities, these behaviours are coming repeatedly from one country, though he did not name that nation, according to reports by Times of India, The Tribune and ANI.
Foreign ministers from India, the US, Australia and Japan met in Atlanta to pledge closer cooperation on maritime security, technology and supply chains. The ministers announced they will provide over $85 million in financial and technical aid to increase access to trusted artificial intelligence across the Indo-Pacific through a Quad AI Accelerator.
The ministers expressed grave concerns regarding economic coercion, non-market practices that drive excess production capacity, and arbitrary export restrictions. They also highlighted the need to protect navigation rights in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz under international law.
The group also addressed online scam operations that cost the four nations tens of billions of dollars annually. The ministers condemned the criminal networks and human trafficking involved in these scams, promising to hold leaders of these networks accountable.
Regarding critical minerals, the US committed $10 million to support facilities in ASEAN countries and India for recovering minerals from electronic waste. Additionally, Rubio mentioned that a Quad leaders' meeting is expected to take place in Manila in November.
