The European Union and East Asia: An Economic Relationship

by Christopher M. Dent

The world economy continues to be dominated by the Triad regions (Europe, North America and East Asia.) This text analyzes the economic relationship that has evolved between two Triadic powers, the European Union (EU) and East Asia, and its future prospects, especially in the wake of the financial crises that shook the East Asian region. The author examines the development of economic diplomacy and exchange between the EU and its East Asian trading partners ( Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in both bilateral and multilateral contexts. The inter-regional dimension provided by the Asia-Europe Meetings (ASEM) is also considered, as are theoretical perspectives from the field of international political economy on these different relationships. Furthermore, the economic development and future challenges facing the East Asian states are studied with special reference to the regions recent financial crisis. This text argues that the EU must afford greater priority in promoting its economic relationship with East Asia.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Christopher Dent is an international political economist and joined Edge Hill University in 2018 after having previously held positions at the Universities of Leeds, Hull and Lincoln. He is also the founder and Leader of SustainNET, a network community of staff and students at the University that is seeking to advance the sustainability agenda both on and off campus. Christopher is originally from London but moved to North England in his early 20s, where he has lived and worked ever since. For most of his professional career he has studied the impact of the East Asia region (China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia) on the global economic system, especially with regards to trade and trade diplomacy, energy, climate change, sustainable development, regional integration and international business. He considers himself an inter-disciplinary economist, linking economics with other subjects to provide a more comprehensive understanding of key challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, in particular climate change and energy security.

He has conducted scholarly work in over 40 countries and has acted as a consultant advisor to the British, Australian, Chilean, German, Swedish, Japanese, South Korean, Lao PDR and United States governments, as well as the Asian Development Bank, European Commission, ASEAN Secretariat, APEC Secretariat, Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration and Nike Incorporated. He has been an invited speaker at conferences and other events in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Oceania. Over the years, he has also acted in an advisory capacity for the British Academy, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Evian Group, Pacific Energy Summit, Asia-Europe Foundation, European External Action Service, British Council, National Research Foundation of Korea, and Israel Science Foundation.

Christopher Dent is a widely published author, with 14 books (7 single authored monographs) and over 100 papers, reports and other publications. He has been on the editorial board of four journals, an external examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes at five universities, and has supervised a number of PhD students. He is also a keen sailor and sports enthusiast generally, and is very discerning (some would say fussy) about what coffee he drinks.