ABSTRACT
Over recent decades the tripolarisation of the world economy has become increasingly evident. By the mid-1990s, the Triad regions — the EU, North America and East Asia — accounted for around 80 per cent of international trade (Table 2.1) and investment. In acknowledging that its relationship with East Asia remains the weak link in the Triad, the EU has more actively promoted its economic relations with the region in recent times. This has been crucial given the global production centre and new pole of prosperity that East Asia has become. Progress made by the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in augmenting a stronger transpacific alliance has added greater imperative to the EU's cause. However, now running parallel to the EU's established ties with East Asian countries is the recently created Asia-Europe Meetings (ASEM) framework that provides an inter-regional basis for dialogue between the EU and East Asia. Together with the 1995 New Transadantic Agenda (NTA), APEC and the ASEM represent the completed triangle of inter-regional Triadic links.
