(a)
In general— The Secretary shall seek to enter into negotiations with the governments of the other Quad countries with the goal of reaching an agreement to establish an Economic Security Working Group to secure critical supply chains, safeguard critical infrastructure, counter economic coercion, and address crises disrupting supply chains.
(b)
Functions— In conducting negotiations described in subsection (a) to establish the Working Group, the Secretary shall seek to ensure the Working Group—
(1)
serves as a forum for the Quad countries to coordinate to secure critical infrastructure and bolster supply chain resiliency;
(2)
holds crisis simulation exercises to better prepare for potential economic coercion and disruptions to supply chains; and
(3)
serves as a collective emergency response mechanism in the case of economic coercion and disruptions to supply chains for sectors critical to national security to facilitate emergency communication and coordination.
(c)
United States representation— The United States shall be represented on the Working Group by a United States official at the level of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State or the equivalent, in line with existing working groups of the Quad.
(d)
Regional engagement— In conducting negotiations described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall encourage the Working Group to engage with the governments of regional partners to help bolster their economic security, such as by cooperating on capacity-building with regard to security of port infrastructure and undersea cables.