Introduction

Abstract

This book is not about Brexit, or what the impact of Brexit may be on East Asia, but an analyis of the changing state of relations between Europe and North East Asia at a time when the post-war liberal world order is under threat, not least from the contest for supremacy between the USA and China. The contributors, who have considerable first-hand experience of the region as either academics or policy makers, broadly conclude that the most likely outcome is a modified, but messier, world order. While the EU has the opportunity to help shape this, it is unlikely to do so, and will continue to react to events, rather than influence them. This will be even more the case for the UK, whose influence and standing in East Asia will be reduced now that it is outside the EU.