President Joe Biden will be hosting world leaders, including the heads of Australia, India, and Japan, at his house in Wilmington, Delaware for his final “Quad” summit. He plans to incorporate personal touches to the event, emphasizing the importance of deep personal relationships in his foreign policy approach. Throughout the weekend, Biden will showcase his home, known as “Lake House,” and share significant milestone moments from his career. He will also host an intimate dinner at his high school, Archmere Academy, a place of particular significance to him, having worked there in his youth.
This summit marks the first time Biden has invited a foreign leader to visit Wilmington during his presidency, highlighting the personal relationships he holds with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The alliance with these Indo-Pacific partners is crucial in countering China’s rising influence, which is a top priority for the Biden administration. The Quad alliance has been strengthened under Biden’s leadership, and the leaders are expected to announce agreements on health security, natural disaster response, and maritime partnerships.
The gathering in Wilmington aims to project a strong alliance with Indo-Pacific partners and ensure the Quad alliance is enduring for the long term. This will be the sixth meeting and the fourth in-person meeting since Biden elevated the Quad to the leader level in 2021. Both Biden and Kishida will be attending their final summit, with the Japanese leader stepping down as party leader earlier this year. India was originally scheduled to host the event this year but swapped responsibilities with the U.S. due to scheduling conflicts with the UN General Assembly.
Biden’s foreign policy legacy will be further solidified with upcoming overseas trips, including a planned visit to Africa starting next month, which was initially scheduled for 2023. He also plans to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in Peru and the G20 summit in Brazil in November, just days after the U.S. presidential election. The president’s focus on personal relationships and face-to-face meetings with world leaders reflects his approach to foreign policy and his belief in the importance of fostering strong alliances.
The summit in Wilmington is significant for Biden as he shares personal milestones and experiences with leaders from key allies. The White House hopes to use this event to strengthen the alliance with Indo-Pacific partners and address pressing regional issues, such as health security and maritime partnerships. Biden is known for valuing personal relationships in foreign policy, and this weekend’s summit aims to further enhance the partnerships established within the Quad alliance. As the president prepares for his final overseas trips and seeks to cement his foreign policy legacy, the summit in Wilmington serves as a moment to reflect on his tenure in office and his dedication to building strong international relationships.
The gathering at Biden’s home in Wilmington will provide an opportunity for the president to connect with Australian, Indian, and Japanese leaders on a personal level, further solidifying the bonds between their countries. The focus on the Indo-Pacific region and countering China’s influence underscores the importance of the Quad alliance in shaping regional security and stability. As Biden continues to navigate complex global challenges, the summit in Delaware will showcase his commitment to diplomacy and building lasting partnerships with key allies.
