ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes ASEAN relations with four powers—the United States, Japan, the USSR, and the PRC. Benign factors dominate at present in these relationships, but destabilizing factors are clearly present. An analysis of economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with regard to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be facilitated by first outlining the possible scenarios for ASEAN international relations. In a benign scenario, US-ASEAN relations would remain strong, trade tensions would be managed, and the US regional role and credibility would be maintained with continued US-Japan cooperation on major international issues. ASEAN countries would lose market access as GSP benefits were further reduced and new restrictions were placed on textiles. ASEAN also bears some of the responsibility for trade tensions. It still has major protectionist barriers against US exports of goods and services.
