This paper proposes the I-4 Initiative, a set of broad-based
recommendations designed to help the US tackle ASEAN's key obstacles to
economic growth, and thereby differentiating itself from other competing
multilateral economic frameworks, striving to garner ASEAN's
involvement. As part of the current situational analysis, this paper
also touches on ASEAN's growing economic potential as well as on the
viability of the Trans-Pacific Agreement (TPP) and the US-ASEAN Extended
Economic Engagement (E3). A posture on how the US can balance both
arrangements is also recommended.