(Archived document, may contain errors) No. 50 August 29,, 1986 THE U.S. AND THE PACIFIC RIM: A STATISTICAL HANDBOOK INTRODUCTION Ronald Reagan calls the 21st century the Pacific Era.' A great many Americans agree. They point to the remarkable economic progress posted by most of the region's countries, which range from the U.S. and Canada in North America to Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Republic of China on Taiwan, and a score of others in Asia.