Singapore’s former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called for the nation to adopt new strategies in response to the United States’ reassessment of its global role.
According to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore must navigate a far less predictable global landscape, where the US is no longer committed to maintaining global order as it once did.
Speaking at a Chinese New Year dinner, Lee described the current geopolitical climate as highly uncertain and tense. He attributed this to the US administration’s inward focus and reevaluation of international responsibilities under President Trump.
Lee argued that the US now employs a transactional approach to foreign policy, prioritizing immediate goals. He cited the use of tariffs as a key policy tool to generate revenue and pressure other countries into making concessions.
“The US is no longer prepared to underwrite the global order. This makes the international environment far less orderly and predictable,” he stated, as reported by Channel News Asia (CNA). He highlighted the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement as examples.
“Singapore, along with all other nations, must adapt to this new reality while simultaneously maintaining our strong ties and friendship with the US,” he added.
Singapore has historically enjoyed close ties with the US, particularly in defense and economic cooperation. The two countries signed a free trade agreement in 2004, establishing the US as Singapore’s largest foreign investor. A security pact grants US forces access to Singaporean military facilities, and both nations engage in regular joint military exercises.
Lee emphasized that evolving global dynamics, including heightened US-China tensions, necessitate economic diversification and stronger regional partnerships for Singapore.
“US-China relations remain strained, with fundamental disagreements unresolved,” he said. “In Europe, the war in Ukraine is approaching its fourth year. In the Middle East, a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is in place, with some hostage releases and prisoner exchanges. However, the underlying Palestinian issue remains unresolved – and arguably worse.”
He cautioned that while Southeast Asia remains relatively stable, tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea present potential risks.