US backed Singapore’s rise. Now it wants returns on that support, says envoy Anjani Sinha

New US tariffs on Singapore were framed as part of President Donald Trump’s drive to “rebalance” the American economy. The explanation was provided by US Ambassador to Singapore Anjani Kumar Sinha, who said the 10 per cent baseline tariff had been applied despite a free trade agreement because Washington was calling in “a favour from friends.”

He said American security commitments had supported regional stability and Singapore’s economic rise, and that the US was now seeking help to narrow its trade deficit and strengthen supply chains.

“Now, we are asking our friends to help us rebalance the economy. That’s the framework, and I am confident the US-Singapore business and economic relationship will continue to grow,” he said.

US backed Singapore

“Over many decades, American taxpayers and service members have underwritten regional security, playing an important role in making Singapore’s economic miracle possible,” Dr Sinha said in an e-mail interview with The Straits Times.

Singapore remains a rare trade-surplus partner for the US, yet sectoral risks were noted, including possible semiconductor tariffs and suspended 100 per cent levies on branded drugs. Sinha said cooperation in technology, energy and medicine was being expanded, supported by a new 30-year nuclear cooperation agreement. He said he had been instructed by Trump to deepen economic ties during his posting.

Business News