Quad, explained.

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose at the Quad foreign ministers meeting on 1 July in Washington, DC (The As

Critical minerals at a critical moment: Testing the Quad’s resolve

The Washington meeting highlighted supply chain ambitions while US tariffs and defence spending disputes create obstacles in the group.

Shameek Godara

3 July 20253 min read

The Quad Foreign Ministers meeting in Washington this week made one thing clear: the group wants to move from talk to action. That’s a big shift, and a necessary one. But if you look closely at what’s going on behind the scenes, it’s obvious that turning ambition into results won’t be easy.

Let’s start with comments from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He talked about moving beyond “ideas and concepts” and turning the Quad into a “vehicle for action.” That’s not just political theatre. It’s a recognition that the Quad, made up of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, needs to prove it can actually do things, not just meet and talk. In today’s world, where geopolitical tensions are rising and alliances are being tested, outcomes matter more than ever.

One of the clearest signs of this new focus is the push to secure critical minerals. This isn’t just about economics, it’s about power. China currently dominates the production and processing of rare earths and other key minerals like lithium, nickel, and copper. That gives Beijing serious leverage, especially in trade talks with the United States. So, when the Quad says it wants to diversify supply chains, it’s not just trying to hedge against market risks – it’s trying to shift the balance of strategic influence.

There are already some early moves. Japan is investing in Australian mines and refining facilities. Australia has offered the United States preferential access to a planned critical minerals stockpile. But here’s the catch: the US hasn’t taken up that offer yet. That hesitation says a lot about the complicated web of bilateral negotiations that sit underneath the Quad’s big-picture goals.

And that brings us to the real challenge: the Quad might look united on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find some serious friction between the United States and its partners.

If each country is pulling in a slightly different direction, because of domestic politics, economic concerns, or old grievances, it’s going to be hard to deliver on the promises made in Washington.

Take Australia. There’s still tension over the Trump administration’s trade tariffs and pressure on defence spending. Australia’s offer of minerals access seems to have been ignored so far, and there’s growing anxiety over the AUKUS defence pact, which is currently under review.

India’s in a similar boat. It’s also been hit by tariffs, and while its External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called the meeting “very productive,” he was quick to point out that no relationship is free of issues. India also pushed back on Trump’s claims about intervening in the India-Pakistan conflict – a reminder that trust isn’t automatic, even among allies.

Then there’s Japan. It’s facing the same tariff pressure and has been asked to ramp up defence spending. That’s already led to the postponement of a key ministerial meeting. Some analysts say the US-Japan relationship has lost momentum, bogged down by trade talks and public disagreements.

All of this matters because the Quad’s strength depends on its ability to act together. If each country is pulling in a slightly different direction, because of domestic politics, economic concerns, or old grievances, it’s going to be hard to deliver on the promises made in Washington.

That said, the Quad is clearly trying to broaden its scope. The group is now talking about economic development, tech, supply chains, and maritime security. They even brought in “30 or 40 companies” from member countries to explore private sector partnerships. That’s a smart move, governments can’t do this alone.

But let’s not forget the bigger picture. The world is still dealing with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. China’s military rise and its claims on Taiwan are looming large. The Indo-Pacific is a strategic hotspot, and the Quad is trying to navigate it all while keeping its own house in order.

So yes, the Quad’s commitment to action is real. But the road ahead is messy. If the group can push through its internal tensions and deliver on things like critical minerals, it’ll prove that this alliance isn’t just a talking shop, it’s a force to be reckoned with. That’s a big “if.”

About the author

Shameek Godara

Shameek Godara is a Senior Associate in The Asia Group’s Australia practice, based in Canberra, where he supports clients on issues spanning national security, defence, and the energy and extractives sectors.

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