Singapore PM Warns of “Messy” Post-American World Order, Urges New Trade Alliances

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for urgent steps to promote trade liberalisation and defend global common interests amid what he described as a “messy” transition to a post-American world order.

“There is no doubt it will be messy and unpredictable because America is stepping back from its role as global insurer,” Wong told the Financial Times. “But there’s no other country able or willing to fill the vacuum.”

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“China’s rise has raised a lot of unease in many parts of the world, not just because it is a rising power of tremendous scale, but because it’s a power with a different economic model and political system.”

He said Singapore, one of the world’s most open economies, could not “wait for things to happen” and must act now “to build new trade connections and keep the arteries of trade open.”

Post-American World Order

Wong cited the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership—launched by Singapore, the UAE, and New Zealand—as an example of smaller nations uniting to sustain globalisation. “We can’t do it alone, but we will do it with like-minded countries,” he said.

The prime minister also warned that the US “America First” agenda is not temporary. “It reflects a broader change in political culture … America no longer wants to do the heavy lifting to keep the order going.”

Describing Singapore as the “canary in the coal mine,” Wong noted early signs of a slowdown as global tariffs disrupt trade and confidence. Still, he insisted that Singapore will maintain strong ties with both Washington and Beijing while pushing for a more resilient multilateral framework.