NASHVILLE, TN—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and former Ambassador to Japan, today released the following statement ahead of President Joe Biden convening a virtual meeting of the Quad nations of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia.
“The Quad is one of our most important and strategic partnerships, with diplomatic, security, economic, technological, and health cooperation among the United States, Japan, India, and Australia reaching new heights in recent years. With the growing threat of Communist China and their predatory actions in the region and around the world, the Quad’s strength and shared values are critical to preserving and strengthening the Free and Open Indo-Pacific. As former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I worked closely with my Quad counterparts, so I applaud President Biden, Prime Minister Suga, Prime Minister Modi, and Prime Minister Morrison for convening this group at the highest level today. My hope is that the Biden Administration continues the Trump Administration’s historic efforts to strengthen and expand the Quad.”