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.[1] 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.
| 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 |