Overview

• The upcoming meeting marks the second Quad ministers’ summit in six months and underscores Canberra’s commitment to collective security in the Indo-Pacific.
• Wong will also meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to press for exemptions from US tariffs of up to 50 percent on Australian steel and aluminium exports.
• Washington’s call for Australia to raise defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP will figure prominently in both the multilateral talks and bilateral discussions.
• The visit coincides with Canberra and Washington awaiting the outcome of President Trump’s snap review of the AUKUS defence pact.
• Australia aims to balance its alliance obligations and economic interests while countering China’s growing regional influence.