Quad Economic Security Act

Bill Number

S. 2380

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Last Updated

2025-08-05T05:08:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Quad Economic Security Act (S. 2380) aims to enhance economic security cooperation among the United States, Japan, Australia, and India through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). It directs the U.S. Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to negotiate the creation of an Economic Security Working Group within the Quad. This group would focus on protecting critical supply chains (networks that deliver essential goods and materials), safeguarding infrastructure (like ports and undersea cables), countering economic coercion (such as unfair trade pressures from other nations), and responding to supply chain disruptions.

Key Provisions

• Sense of Congress: Expresses U.S. support for deepening Quad partnerships to address regional challenges and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. It highlights the Quad's revival under President Trump and elevation to leaders' level under President Biden as key advancements.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "Quad" (partnership among the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India), "Secretary" (State Department head consulting with Commerce), and "Working Group" (the proposed economic security body).
• Establishment of the Working Group:
• The Secretary must negotiate with other Quad nations to form the group.
• Core functions include:
• Coordinating to secure infrastructure and build resilient supply chains.
• Conducting crisis simulation exercises to prepare for economic coercion or disruptions.
• Acting as an emergency response mechanism for critical sectors (e.g., those tied to national security) to enable quick communication and coordination.
• U.S. representation would be at the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State level (a mid-level senior official), consistent with other Quad groups.
• The group should engage regional partners (other Indo-Pacific countries) on capacity-building, such as securing ports and undersea cables.
• Reports on Supply Chains and Partners: If negotiations begin, the Secretary must submit reports to Congress identifying:
• Critical supply chains for national security sectors.
• Indo-Pacific countries considered regional partners for collaboration.
• Annual Reporting: The Secretaries of State and Commerce must jointly report to Congress yearly on negotiation progress, starting one year after talks begin, until negotiations end (whether successful or not).
• Funding: No new funds are authorized; implementation uses existing budgets.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new directives for U.S. diplomatic negotiations and reporting requirements related to the Quad, which previously focused more on security and health issues (e.g., COVID-19 response). It does not amend prior laws but adds a formal economic security dimension to Quad activities, potentially expanding the framework beyond its informal origins.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The State and Commerce Departments would handle negotiations, reporting, and coordination, increasing their workload on Indo-Pacific economic issues without extra funding. This could streamline U.S. responses to global supply chain risks, like those seen in semiconductors or pharmaceuticals.
• Citizens: Indirect benefits through stronger protections for essential goods and infrastructure, potentially reducing vulnerabilities to economic disruptions (e.g., shortages or price spikes from coercion).
• International Relations: Strengthens alliances with Quad partners and extends outreach to Indo-Pacific nations, fostering collective resilience against threats like those from China. It could enhance U.S. leadership in the region but might strain relations with non-Quad countries if perceived as exclusionary.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government: State and Commerce Departments (lead negotiators); congressional committees on foreign relations (recipients of reports and oversight role).
• Quad Countries: Governments of Japan, Australia, and India (negotiation partners and Working Group members).
• Regional Partners: Indo-Pacific nations (e.g., potentially Southeast Asian countries) benefiting from capacity-building on infrastructure security.
• Broader Interests: Businesses and industries reliant on global supply chains (e.g., tech, manufacturing) and U.S. citizens affected by economic stability.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on executive authority for diplomacy, with congressional oversight via reports, aligning with standard foreign policy processes. No new treaties are mandated, keeping it flexible.
• Constitutional: Supports the president's foreign affairs powers under Article II while involving Congress through directives and reporting, maintaining checks and balances.
• Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Sens. Bennet, D-CO, and Ricketts, R-NE) signals cross-party consensus on Indo-Pacific strategy. It credits both Trump and Biden administrations, promoting unity on Quad enhancement amid U.S.-China tensions, but success depends on Quad partners' willingness to negotiate.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-22: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• 2025-07-22: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Quad Economic Security Act — issued 2025-07-22 — PDF (6 pages)