Quad ministers flag economic coercion and supply chain risks

Quad foreign ministers met in Atlanta and voiced grave concern over coercive trade practices. Their statement underscored resilient commerce and protected maritime freedoms amid regional tensions.

In Short

• Marco Rubio hosted counterparts from India, Australia and Japan in Atlanta
• Ministers stressed uninterrupted commerce, energy security and safe passage for crews
• Navigational freedoms across Hormuz, Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb were prioritised

The foreign ministers of the Quad nations on Saturday expressed “grave concern” over economic coercion through arbitrary export restrictions and practices that disrupt global supply chains, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

In an apparent reference to China, the ministers from India, the United States, Australia and Japan also raised concerns over non-market policies and practices that create overcapacity and affect supply chains in critical industries.

In a joint statement issued after their meeting in Atlanta, the ministers reiterated their commitment to building reliable and open global supply chains, along with trusted and resilient infrastructure.

The meeting was convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, according to PTI.

The ministers recognised the importance of critical sea routes, the uninterrupted flow of commerce, energy security, and the unhindered passage and safety of maritime crews and vessels without the imposition of tolls.

They also reiterated the “absolute necessity” of protecting and preserving navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in line with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

This was the third meeting of Quad foreign ministers this year. The ministers had earlier met in New Delhi in May and Manila in July.

Efforts are also under way to convene a Quad Leaders’ Summit, to be hosted by US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN-East Asia Summits in mid-November. The latest ministerial meeting reaffirmed the grouping’s focus on reliable supply chains, maritime security and freedom of navigation.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends