U.S. Secretary of State Hillary, making a keynote speech in Hawaii on
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary, making a keynote speech in Hawaii on November 11, announced the shift in emphasis, as Washington seeks to recalibrate its foreign policy.
“The 21st century will be America’s Pacific century, a period of unprecedented outreach and partnership in this dynamic, complex, and consequential region,” she said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Clinton said Washington wants to build a “trans-Pacific system” for Asia that is modeled on the United States’ trans-Atlantic relationship with Europe.
Noting that the post-World War II institutions between the United States and Europe had paid “remarkable dividends,” Clinton said the time had come for “a more dynamic and durable trans-Pacific system.”
“American businesses are eager for more opportunities to trade and invest in Asian markets,” she said. “And we share with most nations the goal of broad-based, sustainable growth that expands opportunity, protects workers and the environment, respects intellectual property, and fosters innovation. But to accomplish these goals, we have to create a rules-based order, one that is open, free, transparent, and fair.”
Clinton made it clear that Washington is now determined to engage with the Asia-Pacific region. Obama has made it a goal to double U.S. exports by 2015 and the United States sees the East Asian market as essential to reaching that goal. American exports to the Pacific Rim countries totaled $320 billion last year, supporting 850,000 American jobs.
Clinton noted that the Asia-Pacific region stands at a “pivot point” as it becomes “the world’s strategic and economic center of gravity.”
At the epicenter of Asia’s rise, of course, is China, and Clinton appeared to direct much of her speech to Beijing.
She said the United States welcomed a “thriving China,” and that it was in neither country’s interest for Washington to try to contain the rising Asian power.