The New Century The U.s. Government Analysis Of The Asean Regional Economic Cooperation Policy

Regional economic cooperation for ASEAN countries has not yet drawn much attention in the international community ever since the born of this association until recently. In view of the significant complexity in nationality, ethnicity and religion, the imbalance of economic and political development, no one would have expected much fruitful progress in regional economic cooperation in this area. And it has been a fact that regional economic cooperation in this area were once making no substantial progress and even neglected by other parts of the world. However, in the aftermath of the financial crisis, ASEAN countries finally realized the overwhelming significance of spearheading regional economic cooperation both within and outside of this association. They believe only in this way can they become more independent from outside forces and speak in a unanimous voice when it comes to fighting outside pressures. Thereafter and into the new century, ASEAN countries launched comprehensive campaigns aiming to promote regional economic cooperation and make headways in developing trade and economic ties with major countries outside this association. At the same time, one country that cannot be belittled when it comes to ASEAN economic cooperation was making headlines. That is the United States. When deeply bogged down into the fight against international terrorists and those countries who were allegedly patronizing them, will the US government, to be exact, the Bush administration be willing and able to get further involved in this new round of economic cooperation for ASEAN? As was widely known, the importance that the Bush administration attached to ASEAN had long been questioned both at home and abroad. However, after making an analysis both logically and historically, the author finally concludes that the role US government plays in ASEAN regional economic cooperation cannot be replaced by any other country on this planet. The US is still the most strategic and competent stakeholder in this area not only in terms of economic development but also regional security and safety.