Singapore looks forward to working with Trump again to strengthen ties: PM Wong
[jakarta] Singapore looks forward to working with incoming US President Donald Trump and his team to strengthen American partnership in the Asia-Pacific, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on the sidelines of an official trip to Jakarta on Wednesday (Nov 6).
“The American people have made the choice, so we welcome that choice,” PM Wong told Singapore media during a wrap-up interview at the end of his two-day visit.
“We look forward to working with him and his team to further strengthen our bilateral ties and to strengthen America’s partnerships in this part of the world.”
Separately, PM Wong made a Facebook post congratulating Trump and his running mate JD Vance for winning the 2024 US election.
Trump is set to return to the White House for a second term after a close fight with Kamala Harris, the current vice-president and Democratic presidential candidate. His re-election was confirmed after he captured enough swing states to secure more than the 270 Electoral College votes required for victory as at Wednesday evening, Singapore time.
PM Wong noted that Singapore is familiar with Trump. In his first term as president, Trump visited Singapore for the Trump-Kim Summit, a high-level meeting with North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un.
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Under then-president Trump’s watch, Singapore and the US also extended a 1990 agreement on US use of facilities in Singapore, and continued to advance their trade and investment flows “in a very productive manner”.
“America is a key partner for us, but also for all countries in the region,” said PM Wong.
With the US still being the largest source of foreign direct investments in South-east Asia, its companies play a key role in driving economic growth and creating jobs for all countries in the region, he added.
The US also remains a key trading partner for South-east Asia, even though China is the largest, he said. He highlighted Singapore’s longstanding free trade agreement with the US, which has “proven to be a gold standard of free trade agreements” and is mutually beneficial for both countries.
“It has created many American jobs, and it has helped to enhance the relationship in a very significant manner.”
Summing up, PM Wong said: “Whether it’s on trade, whether it’s on investments, or for that matter on the security front – where America’s security presence in South-east Asia still remains critical in providing stability for the region – we think these are all very important aspects of America’s presence in South-east Asia.
“We look forward to working with the new administration to strengthen these areas.”
