Latest news with #QuadInitiative
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Quad countries launch Critical Minerals Initiative; Jaishankar says it would be focused particularly on mineral recovery
Washington, DC: The Quad countries have launched a Critical Minerals Initiative, which will focus particularly on mineral recovery, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries also discussed regional issues in the Indo-Pacific and the Israel-Iran conflict. Addressing a press conference here, Jaishankar said the discussions were largely devoted to enhancing delivery on various initiatives and projects. "We launched the Quad Critical Minerals initiative and this would be focused particularly on the mineral recovery, which is very important for all of us. Second, there is the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network that was launched earlier in the year and we decided it will hold its field training exercise very there is the Quad at Sea Ship Observer mission. This involves our coast there is a maritime legal dialogue at the expert level which will be held virtually later this month," Jaishankar said. "We took some steps to expand the Indo-Pacific Partnership on Maritime Domain awareness through our Gurugram Fusion will be a Quad Ports of the Future partnership conference, which will focus on resilient ports and shipbuilding and of course, a Quad partnership on cable connectivity and resilience," he added. Jaishankar mentioned a Quad business roundtable on critical minerals was also held. "All the Quad ministers, I think we all agreed strongly that our goal in the Quad was to strengthen strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific and in this meeting, the discussions were largely devoted to enhancing delivery on various initiatives and projects. We had a very open discussion on regional issues of the Indo-Pacific," he said. "In the light of recent developments, it is natural that we also spent some time discussing the Israel-Iran conflict also what the US had done in Iran. While our meeting was taking place, there was in parallel a Quad business roundtable on critical minerals, and there were companies from all four Quad countries which were present at that roundtable," he said. Jaishankar participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting (QFMM) along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The leaders built upon the discussions held during the last QFMM, which took place in Washington DC, in January this year.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Quad countries agree to diversify critical mineral supplies amid China concerns
The United States, Japan, India and Australia have pledged to work together to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals, as worries grow over China's dominance in resources vital to new technologies. The four countries said in a joint statement that they were establishing the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, aimed at 'collaborating on securing and diversifying' supply chains. They offered little detail but made clear the goal was to reduce reliance on China, which has used restrictions as leverage as the US in turn curbs its access to semiconductors and threatens steep tariffs. China holds major reserves of several key minerals including the vast majority of the world's graphite, which is crucial for electric vehicles. US secretary of state Marco Rubio welcomed his counterparts from the so-called 'Quad' grouping to Washington on Tuesday in a shift of focus to Asia, after spending much of his first six months on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and on president Donald Trump's domestic priorities, such as migration. In brief remarks alongside the other ministers, Rubio said he has 'personally been very focused' on diversifying supply chains and wanted 'real progress'. In a joint statement, the Quad countries said: 'Reliance on any one country for processing and refining critical minerals and derivative goods production exposes our industries to economic coercion, price manipulation and supply chain disruptions.' The ministers were careful not to mention China by name but also voiced 'serious concerns regarding dangerous and provocative actions' in the South China Sea and East China Sea that 'threaten peace and stability in the region'. Rubio had welcomed the Quad foreign ministers on 21 January in his first meeting after Trump's inauguration, seen as a sign the new administration would prioritise engagement with like-minded countries to counter China. But to the surprise of many, China has not topped the early agenda of Trump, who has spoken respectfully about his counterpart, Xi Jinping, and moved to ease tensions in a wider trade war between the world's two largest economies. Trump is expected to travel to India later this year for a Quad summit. Both the Indian and Japanese foreign ministers said they wanted the Quad to focus on a 'free and open Indo-Pacific' – a phrasing that is a veiled allusion to opposing Chinese dominance in Asia. 'It is essential that nations of the Indo-Pacific have the freedom of choice, so essential to make right decisions on development and security,' Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said. At Jaishankar's urging, the Quad also condemned a May attack on the Indian side of Kashmir that killed mostly Hindu civilians and called for 'the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay'. In a key concern for Japan, the Quad condemned North Korea for its 'destabilising launches' of missiles and insisted on its 'complete denuclearisation'. Despite common ground on China, Quad members have differed on other hotspots, with the joint statement not mentioning Ukraine or Iran. India has maintained its long relationship with Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine, while both India and Japan also have historically enjoyed cordial ties with Iran.
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
‘Quad' nations announce critical minerals initiative amid China concerns
Top diplomats from 'the Quad' nations of Australia, India, Japan and the United States have agreed to work more closely to secure supply chains for critical minerals, including rare earths — a sector dominated by China — in a bid to cut back their reliance on Beijing. In a joint statement released after a summit hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, the four Indo-Pacific countries announced the launching of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, which they called 'an ambitious expansion' of the partnership that will 'strengthen economic security and collective resilience by collaborating to secure and diversify critical minerals supply chains.' Rubio said the plans would allow 'not just access to the raw material but also access to the ability to process and refine it to usable material.' 'It's critical for all technologies and for all industries across the board,' he said. 'So having a diverse and reliable global supply chain of these is just one example of many that we can focus on and build upon and achieve some real progress on.' According to a fact sheet outlining this and other measures from the meeting, the new critical minerals tie-up aims to strengthen cooperation on 'securing and diversifying reliable supply chains, and electronic waste (e-waste) critical minerals recovery and re-processing.' Quad members are also planning to coordinate with private sector partners 'to facilitate increased investments.' Quad nations share concerns over China's virtual monopoly on a number of key minerals, including rare earths crucial for electric vehicles, drones and semiconductors, as well as for weapons such as fighter jets and missiles. According to the International Energy Agency, China is estimated to account for about 62% of global rare earth production and 92% of their processing. Highlighting the Quad's concerns, Beijing recently sought to use restrictions on the minerals as leverage in the U.S.-China trade war, a lesson the Asian behemoth also foisted upon Tokyo in 2010 following a maritime clash near the Japanese-controlled, Chinese-claimed Senkaku Islands. While there were few other details on the new initiative, the four countries made it clear during the meeting that one goal was to reduce their dependence on Beijing. 'We are deeply concerned about the abrupt constriction and future reliability of key supply chains, specifically for critical includes the use of non-market policies and practices for critical minerals, certain derivative products, and mineral processing technology,' top Quad diplomats said in a joint statement carefully crafted not to directly mention China. 'Reliance on any one country for processing and refining critical minerals and derivative goods production exposes our industries to economic coercion, price manipulation, and supply chain disruptions, which further harms our economic and national security,' it added. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya speaks during a meeting of top diplomats from "the Quad," as Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (left), Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (second left) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stand together at the start of talks at the State Department in Washington on Tuesday. | REUTERS In welcoming his Quad counterparts, Rubio touted the grouping as a 'very important partnership,' but urged more 'concrete actions' on key issues. This, however, could prove to be a challenge. All three U.S. partners in the Quad — including allies Japan and Australia — are grappling with how best to respond to President Donald Trump's onerous tariff campaign. Those trade moves, as well as Trump's perceived lack of focus on the Indo-Pacific region, have unnerved Quad leaders. The Trump administration has also triggered unease in Tokyo and Canberra with its demands that both countries ramp up defense spending. Washington has also raised eyebrows about its regional commitment by announcing a review of its AUKUS security partnership with Australia and Britain. Trump has singled out competition with China as a key focus of his administration, but, in the first six months of his presidency, domestic rows, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and rising trade tensions have consumed much of its attention. Asked about Washington's stance on the Indo-Pacific, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said the U.S. is 'unwavering' in its commitment to the region, pointing to Rubio's move to hold a first meeting of the Quad foreign affairs chiefs just an hour after being sworn into office in January. 'By holding this meeting again in person ... we were able to demonstrate to the international community the strength and importance of the Quad,' Iwaya said, adding that the meeting 'laid the groundwork for the success of this year's Quad leaders' summit.' The meeting did see the U.S. stand by long-held positions on a number of regional concerns — at least on paper. In their joint statement, the four countries reiterated boilerplate language, voicing "serious concerns regarding dangerous and provocative actions" in the South and East China seas that they said "threaten peace and stability in the region." They also reiterated a 'steadfast commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific' and 'defending the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,' while pledging to 'strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.' In a win for Japan, the four also condemned North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons program, reaffirming their commitment to the 'complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula' and cooperation on 'the immediate resolution' of the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s, according to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo. A Quad leaders' summit is scheduled to be held later this year in India, while Australia will host the grouping's next meeting of top diplomats in 2026.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Quad launches minerals initiative to curb China's grip on critical supplies
WASHINGTON, July 2 — The United States, Japan, India and Australia pledged Tuesday to work together to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals, as worries grow over China's dominance in resources vital to new technologies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed his counterparts from the so-called 'Quad' to Washington in a shift of focus to Asia, after spending much of his first six months on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and on President Donald Trump's domestic priorities such as migration. The four countries said in a joint statement that they were establishing the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, aimed at 'collaborating on securing and diversifying' supply chains. They offered little detail but made clear the goal was to reduce reliance on China, which has used restrictions as leverage as the United States in turn curbs its access to semiconductors and as Trump threatens steep tariffs — including on Quad countries. 'Reliance on any one country for processing and refining critical minerals and derivative goods production exposes our industries to economic coercion, price manipulation and supply chain disruptions,' the statement said. The ministers were careful not to mention China by name but voiced 'serious concerns regarding dangerous and provocative actions' in the South China Sea and East China Sea that 'threaten peace and stability in the region.' China holds major reserves of several key minerals including the vast majority of the world's graphite, which is crucial for electric vehicles. In brief remarks alongside the other ministers, Rubio said he has 'personally been very focused' on diversifying supply chains and wanted 'real progress.' US refocus on Asia The four-way partnership was first conceived by late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who saw an alliance of democracies surrounding China — which has repeatedly alleged that the Quad is a way to contain it. Rubio had welcomed the Quad foreign ministers on January 21 in his first meeting after Trump's inauguration, seen as a sign the new administration would prioritise engagement with like-minded countries to counter China. But to the surprise of many, China has not topped the early agenda of Trump, who has spoken respectfully about his counterpart Xi Jinping and reached a truce with Beijing to avoid a wider trade war between the world's two largest economies. Trump is expected to travel to India later this year for a Quad summit. Both the Indian and Japanese foreign ministers said that they wanted the Quad to focus on a 'free and open Indo-Pacific' — a phrasing that is a veiled allusion to opposing Chinese dominance in Asia. 'It is essential that nations of the Indo-Pacific have the freedom of choice, so essential to make right decisions on development and security,' Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said. At Jaishankar's urging, the Quad condemned a May attack on the Indian side of Kashmir that killed mostly Hindu civilians and called for 'the perpetrators, organizers and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay.' India in May launched air strikes in Pakistan, which it blamed for the attack. Pakistan denied responsibility and responded with its own attacks on the Indian military. In a key concern for Japan, the Quad condemned North Korea for its 'destabilising launches' of missiles and insisted on its 'complete denuclearization.' Trump, in one of the most startling moves of his first term, met with North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong Un, helping ease tensions but producing no lasting agreement. Despite common ground on China, Quad members have differed on other hotspots, with the joint statement not mentioning Ukraine or Iran. India has maintained its long relationship with Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine, while both India and Japan also have historically enjoyed cordial ties with Iran. — AFP
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
US, Japan, India, Australia pledge mineral cooperation on China jitters
WASHINGTON: The United States, Japan, India and Australia pledged on Tuesday (Jul 2) to work together to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals, as worries grow over China's dominance in resources vital to new technologies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed his counterparts from the so-called "Quad" to Washington in a shift of focus to Asia, after spending much of his first six months on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and on President Donald Trump's domestic priorities such as migration. The four countries said in a joint statement that they were establishing the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, aimed at "collaborating on securing and diversifying" supply chains. They offered little detail but made clear the goal was to reduce reliance on China, which has used restrictions as leverage as the United States in turn curbs its access to semiconductors and as Trump threatens steep tariffs – including on Quad countries. "Reliance on any one country for processing and refining critical minerals and derivative goods production exposes our industries to economic coercion, price manipulation and supply chain disruptions," the statement said. The ministers were careful not to mention China by name but voiced "serious concerns regarding dangerous and provocative actions" in the South China Sea and East China Sea that "threaten peace and stability in the region". China holds major reserves of several key minerals, including the vast majority of the world's graphite, which is crucial for electric vehicles. In brief remarks alongside the other ministers, Rubio said he has "personally been very focused" on diversifying supply chains and wanted "real progress". US REFOCUS ON ASIA The four-way partnership was first conceived by late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who saw an alliance of democracies surrounding China – which has repeatedly alleged that the Quad is a way to contain it. Rubio had welcomed the Quad foreign ministers on Jan 21 in his first meeting after Trump's inauguration, seen as a sign the new administration would prioritise engagement with like-minded countries to counter China. But to the surprise of many, China has not topped the early agenda of Trump, who has spoken respectfully about his counterpart Xi Jinping and reached a truce with Beijing to avoid a wider trade war between the world's two largest economies. Trump is expected to travel to India later this year for a Quad summit. Both the Indian and Japanese foreign ministers said that they wanted the Quad to focus on a "free and open Indo-Pacific" – a phrasing that is a veiled allusion to opposing Chinese dominance in Asia. "It is essential that nations of the Indo-Pacific have the freedom of choice, so essential to make right decisions on development and security," Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said. At Jaishankar's urging, the Quad condemned a May attack on the Indian side of Kashmir that killed mostly Hindu civilians and called for "the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay". India in May launched air strikes in Pakistan, which it blamed for the attack. Pakistan denied responsibility and responded with its own attacks on the Indian military. In a key concern for Japan, the Quad condemned North Korea for its "destabilising launches" of missiles and insisted on its "complete denuclearisation". Trump, in one of the most startling moves of his first term, met with North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong Un, helping ease tensions but producing no lasting agreement. Despite common ground on China, Quad members have differed on other hotspots, with the joint statement not mentioning Ukraine or Iran. India has maintained its long relationship with Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine, while both India and Japan also have historically enjoyed cordial ties with Iran.
