U.S. interests in the Asia‐Pacific region

Abstract

American security and prosperity depend increasingly on the development of Asia. Nearly one‐half the world's people live in the countries bordering the Asia‐Pacific region, and over half of all economic activity in the world is conducted here. The United States itself is as much a Pacific nation as an Atlantic one. During the first few years of the Clinton administration the United States readjusted its global strategy in light of changes brought by the end of the Cold War. In his report, Engagement and Enlargement’ Report on U.S. National Security Strategy, submitted to Congress on July 21, 1994, President Clinton put forward three main objectives for U.S. security strategy. These were: “To enhance security by maintaining a strong defense capability and promoting cooperative security measures; to open foreign markets and spur global economic growth; to promote democracy abroad.” Referring to the Asia‐Pacific region, he stated, “now more than ever, security, open markets and democracy go hand by hand in this vigorous region.” That is to say, the U.S. has threefold interests in Asia.