The Quadrilateral group or the Quad is an informal group which includes the trade spokespersons of Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United States. It was first suggested at a private meeting during the 7th G7 summit in July 1981. Initially, a trilateral group was proposed (excluding Canada) because of the tensions between the two North American countries at that time but eventually, the Canadian Government successfully lobbied to be included. The European Commission has avoided formalizing the group because of resistance from the European Union members, particularly France, who resent their lack of direct involvement.
List of Quadrilateral meetings Location Date(s) Key Biscayne, Florida, United States 15–16 January 1982 Chateau d'Esclimont, France 12–13 May 1982 Tokyo, Japan 11 February 1983 Brussels, Belgium 29 April 1983 London, United Kingdom 16–17 July 1983 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 26–27 September 1983 Islamorada, Florida, United States 2–4 February 1984 Erbach Im Reingau, Germany 28–30 June 1984 Kyoto, Japan 9–11 February 1985 Oba, Ontario, Canada 11–14 July 1985 San Diego, California, United States 16–19 January 1986 Sinta, Portugal 4–7 September 1986 Kashikojima, Japan 24–26 April 1987 Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada 15–17 April 1988 Brainerd, Minnesota, United States 22–24 June 1988 The Hague, Netherlands 2–4 June 1989 Hakonemachi, Japan 12–14 November 1989 Napa, California, United States 2–4 May 1990 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada 11–13 October 1990 Angers, France 12–14 September 1991 Fukushima, Japan 24–26 April 1992 Cambridge, Ontario, Canada 16–18 October 1992 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 12–14 May 1993 Tokyo, Japan 23–24 June 1993 Los Angeles, California, United States 9–11 September 1994 Whistler, British Columbia, Canada 3–5 May 1995 Ripley Castle, Yorkshire, United Kingdom 20–21 October 1995 Kobe, Japan 19–21 April 1996 Seattle, Washington, United States 26–28 September 1996 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 30 April–2 May 1997 Versailles, France 29–30 April 1998 Tokyo, Japan 11–12 May 1999
See also European Commissioner for Trade Group of Seven Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan) Minister of International Trade Diversification (Canada) Office of the United States Trade Representative Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
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