Singapore Needs to Adjust to the ‘new reality’ of US Policy, Says Senior Minister
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has emphasized the need for new strategies given Washington's decreasing commitment to maintaining the international order. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Lee Hsien Loong has called on Singapore to adopt new strategies as the United States reevaluates its global position.
Speaking at a Chinese New Year celebration dinner on Saturday, Lee, who served as the prime minister from 2004 to 2024, highlighted the need for Singapore to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable world where the US is less inclined to “underwrite the global order.” He characterized the current geopolitical landscape as “tense as ever,” filled with “much uncertainty,” largely due to Washington's pivot towards domestic issues and a reassessment of its international engagements under Donald Trump.
Lee explained that the US now “takes a transactional approach to achieve immediate objectives,” emphasizing that tariffs are viewed by the White House as a crucial policy tool, both for generating external revenue and for pressuring other nations into concessions.
“The US is no longer prepared to underwrite the global order. This makes the international environment far less orderly and predictable,” he said, referencing the Trump administration's withdrawals from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
He asserted that “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.”
Throughout its history, Singapore has maintained robust relations with Washington, particularly in defense and economic cooperation. The two nations implemented the Singapore-United States Free Trade Agreement in 2004, establishing the US as Singapore’s largest foreign investor. Additionally, a security agreement allows American forces access to Singapore’s military facilities, and both nations engage in annual joint exercises such as Exercise Commando Sling and Exercise Tiger Balm.
Lee remarked that evolving global dynamics—particularly the increasing tensions between the US and China—require Singapore to explore diverse economic partnerships and bolster regional cooperation.
“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 appears largely stable, potential risks linger due to tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Speaking at a Chinese New Year celebration dinner on Saturday, Lee, who served as the prime minister from 2004 to 2024, highlighted the need for Singapore to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable world where the US is less inclined to “underwrite the global order.” He characterized the current geopolitical landscape as “tense as ever,” filled with “much uncertainty,” largely due to Washington's pivot towards domestic issues and a reassessment of its international engagements under Donald Trump.
Lee explained that the US now “takes a transactional approach to achieve immediate objectives,” emphasizing that tariffs are viewed by the White House as a crucial policy tool, both for generating external revenue and for pressuring other nations into concessions.
“The US is no longer prepared to underwrite the global order. This makes the international environment far less orderly and predictable,” he said, referencing the Trump administration's withdrawals from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
He asserted that “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.”
Throughout its history, Singapore has maintained robust relations with Washington, particularly in defense and economic cooperation. The two nations implemented the Singapore-United States Free Trade Agreement in 2004, establishing the US as Singapore’s largest foreign investor. Additionally, a security agreement allows American forces access to Singapore’s military facilities, and both nations engage in annual joint exercises such as Exercise Commando Sling and Exercise Tiger Balm.
Lee remarked that evolving global dynamics—particularly the increasing tensions between the US and China—require Singapore to explore diverse economic partnerships and bolster regional cooperation.
“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 appears largely stable, potential risks linger due to tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
