Economic Implications of the U.S.-ASEAN Discourse on Human Rights

Abstract

THIS EXAMINATION of aspects of the complex relationships between human rights and trade was inspired by our exposure to sincere expressions of confusion and alarm during recent visits to Southeast Asia. In particular, many business leaders in the region are openly concerned about reactions of the United States and other western states to alleged human rights infringements in Asia. Highly visible disagreements between the United States and China in combination with other public disputes between western and Southeast Asian groups and governments have created a setting in which rumors and fears of punitive trade sanctions are abundant and plausible. And contributions to the discourse from official American sources have done little to discourage notions of linkage between human rights issues and trade policies. North American media and public officials have been increasingly vocal in condemning human rights abuses in Asia. The primary target of this rhetoric has been China, where recent issues provoking public commentary and emotion have included the well-publicized detention of an American citizen, Harry Wu, and tensions between attendees and their hosts at the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing. Because a substantial majority of Southeast Asians engaged in international business activity are themselves of Chinese descent, the U.S.-China tension is all the more interesting and ominous. While they might like to shift their commercial activities in such a way that their dependence on the U.S. market is reduced, this would be a major and difficult adjustment.'