A Manila gathering of the Quad’s four national leaders is expected on Tuesday, Nov. 17, with critical-mineral supplies and shipping security likely to shape talks, Reuters reported.
The Quad brings together Washington, Tokyo, Canberra and New Delhi, representing the United States, Japan, Australia and India. The leaders are expected to meet alongside Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events in Manila. In an Oct. 20 interview, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the November gathering as agreed but said its day had not been settled. The State Department transcript records his remarks; EconoTimes previously covered the plan before a date was reported.
Reuters based its account on two people with knowledge of the preparations. One, who was not authorized to speak publicly, expects critical-mineral supply to figure in the discussion. The same person said leaders may consider protecting commercial shipping lanes used to maintain energy supplies and whether to address attacks on commercial vessels. A second source, a Philippine government official briefed on preparations, said the leaders were expected to meet shortly after President Donald Trump arrives in Manila.
Quad leaders last met in Wilmington, Delaware, in September 2024. The gathering paired a renewed regional pledge with additional work on maritime security. Earlier EconoTimes reporting said India had been due to host the 2025 summit, but that meeting did not take place; the outlet reported Rubio’s Manila plan.
Reuters said the Quad is often described as a regional check on China’s growing influence, while member governments have said their work is not aimed at a specific country. The proposed Manila meeting would be the first Quad leaders’ summit since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. The Philippine official cited by Reuters said the leaders were expected to meet soon after Trump arrives in Manila on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
