S’pore-US talks on sectoral tariffs still at ‘early stage, says PM Wong

He also says S’pore not pursuing tariff deal with US as there is already an FTA in place

- Hariz Baharudin Correspondent

Singapore’s talks with the United States on sectoral tariffs for semiconductors — a key export for the Republic - remain “at a very early stage”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, as he reaffirmed Asean’s resolve to keep engaging all partners in a shifting global trade landscape.

“For now, there’s still not a lot of clarity around how America intends to apply these sectoral tariffs - for example, where pharmaceuticals are concerned,” he said on Oct 28, of Washington’s 100 per cent tariffs on branded drug products, which have since been put on hold. The US has yet to announce its tariffs for semiconductors.

He was speaking in response to a question from the Singapore media on whether tariffs had come up in Asean leaders’ discussions with US President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur.

PM Wong said tariffs were not discussed in detail during these meetings, though bilateral discussions between the US and individual Asean countries are ongoing.