Mr. Clark is absolutely correct in his characterization of Brazil, but it's the distinction between Brazil and ASEAN that is important. Whereas Brazil is still somewhat inward-looking, ASEAN has always been extremely outward-looking and pro-trade. It's been very open to investment from outside and to broadening trade relations with all parts of the world. This is why we have argued that if we are to identify priority emerging markets--and Brazil, everyone agrees, is one of those emerging markets--there's a very strong case to make that ASEAN as a whole deserves to be one of those priority markets, those emerging markets, as much as Brazil does or India does.
On February 22nd, 2007. See this statement in context.