Quadrilateral group


The Quadrilateral group or the Quad is an informal group which includes the trade spokesmen of the United States, Japan, Canada, and the European Union. It was first suggested during a private meeting during the 7th G7 summit in July 1981. Initially, a trilateral group was proposed because of tensions between the two North American countries at the time but eventually, the Canadian Government successfully lobbied to be included. The European Commission has avoided formalizing the group because of resistance from European Union members, particularly France, who resent their lack of direct involvement.

List of Quadrilateral meetings

LocationDates
Key Biscayne, Florida, United States15–16 January 1982
Chateau d'Esclimont, France12–13 May 1982
Tokyo, Japan11 February 1983
Brussels, Belgium29 April 1983
London, UK16–17 July 1983
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada26–27 September 1983
Islamorada, Florida, USA2–4 February 1984
Erbach Im Reingau, Germany28–30 June 1984
Kyoto, Japan9–11 February 1985
Oba, Ontario, Canada11–14 July 1985
San Diego, California, USA16–19 January 1986
Sinta, Portugal4–7 September 1986
Kashikojima, Japan24–26 April 1987
Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada15–17 April 1988
Brainerd, Minnesota, USA22–24 June 1988
The Hague, Netherlands2–4 June 1989
Hakonemachi, Japan12–14 November 1989
Napa, California, USA2–4 May 1990
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada11–13 October 1990
Angers, France12–14 September 1991
Fukushima, Japan24–26 April 1992
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada16–18 October 1992
Toronto, Ontario, Canada12–14 May 1993
Tokyo, Japan23–24 June 1993
Los Angeles, California, USA9–11 September 1994
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada3–5 May 1995
Ripley Castle, Yorkshire, UK20–21 October 1995
Kobe, Japan19–21 April 1996
Seattle, Washington, USA26–28 September 1996
Toronto, Ontario, Canada30 April - 2 May 1997
Versailles, France29–30 April 1998
Tokyo, Japan11–12 May 1999