The book is the culmination of two years of research led by Geza Feketekuty. Among the book\'s 21 authors are current members of Congress, former government officials, representatives of American business, and prominent academic and policy institute thinkers....

Congressional failure to approve fast-track trade negotiating authority last year and the mounting trade-related problems created by the East Asian financial crisis confront the president and the American people with critical strategic trade policy choices....

The ongoing Asian financial crisis has graphically demonstrated the shared Western stake in the Asian economy as the United States and Europe face falling exports to Asia and rising imports from the region. In 1998, both the European and U.S. trade imbalances with Asia grew by more than $50 billion each, and those imbalances are still growing....

The time is ripe for a bold new initiative to recast the U.S.-Japan economic relationship for the 21st century. A new Japan is emerging. Foreign investment is on the rise. Tokyo is deregulating and restructuring its economy. A new gneration of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists has merged....