美國選擇「自由貿易協定」對象的考慮因素

自由貿易協定(Free Trade Agreement, FTA)1從1990年代初期開始蔓延，截至目前為止，正式通告到WTO的FTA件數已超過300宗，根據估計，未來將以每星期增加一宗的速度繼續累積2。其中，以歐洲的密度最高，超過100宗，但從本世紀開始，洽簽重心逐漸移往亞太地區(Schiff and Winters, 2003)。

The United States applies several criteria when selecting partners for a free trade agreement (FTA). Chief among these are that the agreement must have minimal impact on domestic special interests, favor the achievement of some economic priority such as the promotion of investment abroad, and accord with U.S. foreign policy considerations, while prospective partners must firmly commit themselves to implementing trade and economic reforms and be able to honor their commitments.
Facing a wave of regionalization in East Asia, including ASEAN plus one (separate ASEAN agreements with Japan, China, and Korea) and ASEAN plus three (a single ASEAN agreement with Japan, China, and Korea), the United States can be expected to strengthen its trade and economic alliances as well as its strategic deployments in the area. Taiwan should take advantage of opportunities of East Asian changing circumstances and its regionalization to push for the negotiation of a Taiwan-USA free trade agreement.