Singapore needs to adjust to a ‘new reality’ following a shift in US policy, says senior minister
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasized the need for new strategies in response to Washington's decreasing commitment to maintaining the international order. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Lee Hsien Loong has called on the nation to adopt new strategies as Washington reassesses its role on the global stage.
The Senior Minister highlighted that Singapore must adapt to a world with increased unpredictability, as the US is no longer inclined to “underwrite the global order.” Speaking during a Chinese New Year celebration dinner on Saturday, Lee, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2024, characterized the current geopolitical landscape as “tense as ever” and filled with “much uncertainty.” He attributed this situation to Washington's realignment toward domestic issues and its reevaluation of international commitments following the emergence of the Trump administration.
The minister underscored that the US “takes a transactional approach to achieve immediate objectives,” noting that the White House considers tariffs a significant policy tool, serving as a source of external revenue and a method to compel concessions from other nations.
“The US is no longer prepared to underwrite the global order. This makes the international environment far less orderly and predictable,” he remarked, as noted by Channel News Asia. He referenced the Trump administration’s withdrawals from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as illustrative examples.
“Singapore, like all other countries, must adapt to this new reality, even as we seek to maintain our strong ties and friendship with the US,” he emphasized.
Historically, Singapore has enjoyed close relations with Washington, especially in defense and economic collaboration. The two nations established the Singapore-United States Free Trade Agreement in 2004, which made the US Singapore’s largest foreign investor. A security agreement provides US forces access to Singaporean military facilities, and both countries regularly conduct joint military exercises, including Exercise Commando Sling and Exercise Tiger Balm.
Lee acknowledged that evolving global dynamics, particularly escalating US-China tensions, necessitate a diversification of Singapore's economic partnerships and a strengthening of regional collaborations.
“US-China relations remain fraught, with fundamental differences unresolved,” he observed. “In Europe, the war in Ukraine is about to enter its fourth year. In the Middle East, there is now a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and some hostages have been released, exchanged for prisoners. But the fundamental Palestinian issue remains unresolved – and probably worsened.”
He cautioned that while Southeast Asia is mostly stable, potential risks still lurk in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
The Senior Minister highlighted that Singapore must adapt to a world with increased unpredictability, as the US is no longer inclined to “underwrite the global order.” Speaking during a Chinese New Year celebration dinner on Saturday, Lee, who served as prime minister from 2004 to 2024, characterized the current geopolitical landscape as “tense as ever” and filled with “much uncertainty.” He attributed this situation to Washington's realignment toward domestic issues and its reevaluation of international commitments following the emergence of the Trump administration.
The minister underscored that the US “takes a transactional approach to achieve immediate objectives,” noting that the White House considers tariffs a significant policy tool, serving as a source of external revenue and a method to compel concessions from other nations.
“The US is no longer prepared to underwrite the global order. This makes the international environment far less orderly and predictable,” he remarked, as noted by Channel News Asia. He referenced the Trump administration’s withdrawals from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as illustrative examples.
“Singapore, like all other countries, must adapt to this new reality, even as we seek to maintain our strong ties and friendship with the US,” he emphasized.
Historically, Singapore has enjoyed close relations with Washington, especially in defense and economic collaboration. The two nations established the Singapore-United States Free Trade Agreement in 2004, which made the US Singapore’s largest foreign investor. A security agreement provides US forces access to Singaporean military facilities, and both countries regularly conduct joint military exercises, including Exercise Commando Sling and Exercise Tiger Balm.
Lee acknowledged that evolving global dynamics, particularly escalating US-China tensions, necessitate a diversification of Singapore's economic partnerships and a strengthening of regional collaborations.
“US-China relations remain fraught, with fundamental differences unresolved,” he observed. “In Europe, the war in Ukraine is about to enter its fourth year. In the Middle East, there is now a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and some hostages have been released, exchanged for prisoners. But the fundamental Palestinian issue remains unresolved – and probably worsened.”
He cautioned that while Southeast Asia is mostly stable, potential risks still lurk in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
