Abstract
The formation of NAFTA and the recent intensification of intra-East Asian trade and investment have led many to conclude that the economic linkages between the United States and East Asia are weakening. This paper shows otherwise. An analysis of the trends of the last twenty five years indicates that (i) the U.S. held its high share in East Asian imports, while the shares of Japan and other countries outside the region declined; (ii) the U.S. generally increased its share of investments in East Asia, except for a recent, and most likely temporary, surge of Japanese investments; (iii) East Asian exponers increased their shares in U.S. markets; and (iv) East Asian investors sharply increased their share ofU. S. inward investment stocks. Cross-Pacific economic relations remain strong, although they could be threatened by exclusive trading arrangements on either side.