Testing the Waters

Increased U.S. trade with the Pacific Rim is Clinton's next goal

John Hay, Theodore Roosevelt's Secretary of State, once called the Pacific the "ocean of the future." Bill Clinton hopes the future starts this week. Just two days after Congress votes up or down on NAFTA, the President plans to meet in Seattle with leaders from 14 other Pacific Rim nations. With an expanding middle class and huge construction projects ranging from airports to mass-transit systems, the booming region should be in a spending mood for years to come. The Seattle gathering is a significant step in White House efforts to widen the pipeline for American exports to Asia, which is already...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!