How (and why) the United States should help to build the ASEAN economic community

Abstract

Michael Plummer leads this issue of East-West Dialogue with a call for ambitious new initiatives leading to a U.S.-ASEAN economic space and a U.S.-ASEAN partnership fund to deepen civic and cultural ties. Plummer is joined by other expert commentators who agree the relationship is vital and offer further suggestions, confirming that gains from a deeper partnership are mutual and that the region is receptive to U.S. initiatives. Commentaries: ASEAN-U.S. Cooperation in Building the ASEAN Economic Community by Scot A. Marciel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia and Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs; The American-ASEAN Relationship by Kishore Mahbubani, Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore and former Ambassador to the United Nations from Singapore; Revitalizing ASEAN Competitiveness by Chalongphob Sussangkarn, Minister of Finance of Thailand (2007) and President, Thailand Development Research Institute (1996-2007). East-West Dialogue, a project of the East-West Center, fosters discussion and debate of key issues in Asia-U.S. economic relations. The Dialogue seeks to develop and promote innovative policy, business, and civic initiatives to enhance this critical partnership. What do YOU think? Join the Dialogue on this issue's discussion page, where you can leave a comment and read comments from others.