The relationship between East Asian nations and the U.S. from 1990 to 2010 was complicated. The U.S. did not like the idea of an East Asian Community and tried to prevent it from forming. They wanted to lead the region through APEC instead. Despite this, the U.S. later wanted to join the East Asian Community, but it was not a good fit. The U.S. can still be involved in the Asian economy even if it is not a member of the East Asian Community.