Bilateralismus in der Handels- und Währungskooperation Ostasiens – Übergangsphänomen oder konstantes Muster?

Abstract

Bilateralism looms large in International Economics in general and in East Asia specifically. Here bilateral trade agreements and bilateral currency cooperation are both regional manifestations of this global trend. Yet, is bilateralism a constant pattern of economic cooperation in East Asia or just a transitional phenomenon? This paper argues that currently East Asian states are still eager to conclude bilateral trade and currency agreements, but only up to the point where multilateralism promises more gains than the ever growing complexity of bilateral networks, especially in the issue area of trade. Since both trade and currency cooperation show a drift towards multilateralism it is concluded that bilateralism may be conceived as both transitional phenomenon and constant pattern in East Asian Regionalism.