ABSTRACT
The element of idealism in American foreign policy toward Asia was noticeable as well, particularly in popular support given the American missionary movement in China and, more officially, in the attempt of President Woodrow Wilson to craft a better world order. While acknowledging the problems inherent in defining national interests as a basis for US policy toward Taiwan and China, those various interests must be explored to understand the Taiwan conundrum in US China policy. The Philippines, as well as most other Southeast Asian countries, consider Taiwan a valuable trading partner and vital source of capital investment. President George Bush, who served as vice president under Ronald Reagan, entered office in 1989 with every expectation of continuing his predecessor's highly successful policies toward Asia. The chapter aims to define US interests in increasing detail, concluding with a discussion of American interests as expressed in the strategies and policies of the Reagan and Bush administrations, particularly toward East Asia.
