US helped with the S'pore 'miracle. Now it's calling in the favour: New envoy

Dr Anjani Sinha confident that business and economic relationship will continue to grow

- Bhagyashree Garekar US Bureau Chief

ing in a favour from friends like Singapore as President Donald Trump tries to rebalance the American economy and restore “fairness” to the international trading system.

Mr Trump’s ambassador to Singapore, Dr Anjani Kumar Sinha, offered that explanation when asked how the US President’s 10 per cent baseline tariff on the Republic - in spite of a free trade agreement since 2004 ~ aligns with the broader goals of the US-Singapore relationship.

“Over many decades, American taxpayers and service members have underwritten regional security, playing an important role in making Singapore’s economic miracle possible,’ Dr Sinha said in an email interview with The Straits Times.

“Now, we are asking our friends to help us rebalance the economy. That’s the framework, and I am confident the US-Singapore business and economic relationship will continue to grow,’ he said.

The levies are part of Mr Trump’s aggressive “reciprocal” tariffs imposed on about 90 nations, with rates as high as 50 per cent on some partners. They are intended to help reduce the US trade deficit, which stood at more than US$1 trillion (S$1.3 trillion) in 2024, revive manufacturing in the American hinterland, secure better market access for US goods and strengthen US supply chains.

“President Trump’s trade agenda is focused on restoring balance and fairness to the international trading system and protecting US national security,” Dr Sinha said.

Singapore, however, is among the countries with whom the US enjoys a trade surplus that partly helps offset large deficits it has with partners like China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union.

The US goods trade surplus with Singapore was US$19 billion, while the services trade surplus was US$25.1 billion in 2024, as per the US Trade Representative’s office.