President George
W. Bush travels to Asia this week to participate in the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit in Busan,
South Korea. His attendance at APEC and his visits to Japan, China,
and Mongolia are an important statement of U.S. foreign policy
priorities and goals in the Asia-Pacific region. At a time when
U.S. and global attention appears to be focused on other regions,
this trip sends a strong signal that Asia still remains a center of
gravity of American interests.
While some regard
the annual meeting of APEC as a summit of greater symbolic than
practical significance, APEC's 21 member economies represent more
than one-third of the world's population, sixty percent of the
world's gross domestic product, and nearly half of global trade.
Thus, strong statements from the APEC forum can have a major
impact. For example, a top priority for APEC has been liberalizing
trade, and this year's agenda will support the conclusion of the
World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha Development Agenda in Hong
Kong next month. Beyond the traditional economic and trade issues
that have been the traditional purview of APEC, other priorities
this year are likely to be strengthening cooperation and support
for the ongoing war on terrorism and prevention of an avian flu
pandemic.
The APEC meeting
also affords President Bush important opportunities for focused
bilateral meetings with key leaders to discuss specific concerns.
In particular, his meetings with the leaders of South Korea and
Japan, two of America's strongest and most important allies in
Asia, will be critical to overcome existing tensions and forge
stronger ties for the future.
Japan
President Bush's
first stop in Asia before heading to Busan will be Kyoto, where he
will meet Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Over the last several
years, Washington and Tokyo have made great strides in
strengthening their bilateral security relationship and increasing
cooperation and dialogue. As the two countries continue to work
towards even closer collaboration, several issues will have to be
addressed.
The first
challenge is moving forward to implement a plan, struck at the end
of last month, to begin moving U.S. marines from Okinawa to Guam in
2008. The plan includes moving 7,000 marines to Guam and 1,000
elsewhere to Japan, but Washington has warned that it will not move
forward unless Tokyo moves ahead with a plan to relocate Futenma, a
key military airbase currently located on Okinawa.
On the economic
front, Bush will urge Japan to follow through on the independent
Japanese Food Safety Commission's recommendation to resume imports
of American beef, which Tokyo has banned since December 2003 for
fear of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) contamination. In
addition, while there will be praise and recognition of Koizumi's
recent political victory on postal reforms, President Bush should
encourage further deregulation of the financial and commercial
sectors and obtain a commitment from Koizumi to work more
vigorously to eliminate trade barriers and thus improve market
access for American firms.
Korea
After Kyoto, Bush
will proceed to Gyungju, South Korea, for a summit with President
Roh Moo Hyun just prior to the APEC leaders' meeting. The two
leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation in several economic and
security areas. Among these will likely be developing a free trade
agreement between the two countries, adding South Korea to the U.S.
Visa Waiver program, and boosting bilateral investment and
trade.
On the security
front, a number of issues will prove to be more contentious and
will require a united stance from the two leaders. At the top of
the agenda are North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. The last
round of talks with North Korea failed to end the current impasse,
and President Bush should use this opportunity to explain to the
South Korean leader and people why the United States remains firmly
committed to complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement.
This goal undeniably furthers the interests of both countries and
should be shared by Koreans and Americans alike.
Another security
issue that has caused some tension in recent months is the future
of the U.S.-Korea alliance, which has been strong for the past
half-century. With rapid changes on the Korean peninsula, in the
region, and in the global security environment, the alliance will
have to transform to accommodate new dynamics in the bilateral
relationship. President Bush should set the tone for the future of
the alliance by expressing America's commitment to the relationship
and the defense of South Korea and state clearly that the two
countries must work together to improve mutual trust and
confidence. The transformation of the alliance, including
adjustments of the U.S. troop presence and command organizational
changes, will require further negotiation and discussion but can be
achieved to the satisfaction of both countries through strong
leadership.
Improving Ties in
Asia
The APEC summit,
which brings together the leaders of all the major economies in the
Asia-Pacific, is a unique opportunity for the United States to both
participate and play a leading role in the region. One of the most
important leadership roles Washington can play is to strengthen the
ties between America's two vital allies, Korea and Japan.
Tensions between
Seoul and Tokyo in recent months-due to several issues, including
unresolved historical disputes-should not belie the fact that ties
between the two countries have never been stronger or more
positive. Japanese interest in Korean popular culture has sparked
record high tourism and cultural exchange. With President Roh and
Prime Minister Koizumi scheduled to meet during APEC, the United
States should strongly encourage the two leaders to overcome their
disagreements and focus on shared values and interests.
With issues such
as the ongoing North Korean nuclear problem, terrorism, and avian
flu, close regional cooperation has never been more imperative. It
is in the best interests of the United States to promote better
relations between Tokyo and Seoul. Japan and South Korea today are
two of the most modern and democratic countries in Asia. The United
States should work closely with these two allies to advance their
relationship to meet modern challenges. The APEC summit is an
excellent opportunity for the United States to send a strong
message to Asia and beyond that the region is critical to America
and its long-term interests.
Balbina
Y. Hwang, Ph.D., is Policy Analyst for Northeast Asia in
the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation.