Pacific summit in Seattle : testing Clinton's Asia-Pacific policy

Abstract

Under fire for its foreign policy in Europe and Africa, the Clinton administration nevertheless appears headed for a diplomatic coup later this month. The event is an unprecedented meeting, hosted by the United States in Seattle, of leaders from 15 Pacific Rim economies, including China, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Though billed as an "informal conference," the gathering will be, in all but name, the first Asia-Pacific summit. It will directly follow the annual ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization, also hosted by the United States, which will consider further trade liberalization in the region. Like the APEC meeting, the informal summit will focus on economic issues. But the twin events will also provide a very public and practical test of the administration's diplomacy in this region, which includes a new enthusiasm for multilateral processes and institutions.