Leaders from the United States, Japan, Australia and India are set to gather in Manila on Tuesday for a Quad leaders' meeting, two individuals familiar with the planning told Reuters on Friday. The meeting - taking place on the final day of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit - would be the first such summit among the four Indo-Pacific partners in two years.
The four-country grouping, commonly referred to as the Quad, is broadly viewed as a strategic counterbalance to China's expanding influence across the region, though member states have stated that the grouping is not aimed at any single country.
One source said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated last month that Quad leaders might convene on the sidelines of the ASEAN gathering, which begins on Sunday in Manila. That suggestion appears to have formed the basis for current planning that places the leaders' meeting shortly after the arrival of US President Donald Trump in the Philippine capital on Tuesday - the last day of the ASEAN summit, according to a Philippine government official briefed on preparations.
Officials and advisers are expected to focus on several topics during the Quad meeting. One of the two people familiar with the planning said the supply of critical minerals is likely to be on the agenda. Such minerals are cited as an item of concern for the grouping and are expected to receive attention during leader-level discussions.
The same anonymous source suggested that securing energy flows will be another priority, noting the leaders are likely to discuss "free and unimpeded commercial shipping lanes in order to secure energy supplies from across the world." The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, also warned that "the issue of attacks on commercial ships is very likely to be taken up."
Those remarks indicate maritime security concerns could take a central place in leader-level talks, alongside resource supply issues. The two people who spoke about the meeting declined to be identified; one was described as being familiar with the planning, and the other was identified as a Philippine government official who had been briefed on the preparations.
If it proceeds as outlined, the Manila gathering will mark the first assembly of Quad leaders since President Trump returned to office last year. The last leaders' summit took place in September 2024 in Delaware, where the Quad reaffirmed its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and launched initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation.
Note on sourcing: Details in this report are based on information provided by two individuals familiar with planning for the meeting; both spoke on condition of anonymity or were described as briefed on preparations.