PACIFIC RIM TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT - HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENT AND FUTURE-PROSPECTS

Pacific Asia is deep rooted in its cultural heritage and historical ba ckground, which have set the tone for region's success. These same fac tors also have created rather different trading practices, compared wi th those of the West-practices that are less transparent and full of h idden private trade barriers. Interdependence within the region sugges ts integration, but Pacific Asia has taken a course of non-exclusive c ooperation rather than following the exclusive course of the European Community (EC) and of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The latter two trade blocs threaten the continued success and develop ment of Pacific Asia. Although the Uruguay Round of the General Agreem ent on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) sends relief, fostering a cooperative rather than a retaliative Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) or ganization offers the most promise.