Singapore made case against potential US tariffs to Secretary Marco Rubio: Vivian Balakrishnan

Singapore has told the United States there is "no technical or economic basis" for imposing tariffs on it, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Thursday (Jul 23).

Speaking to reporters in Manila after meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Dr Balakrishnan said they had a "good, candid and honest-to-goodness" discussion.

He said Singapore was making the case that it was "not a target" of the United States, while seeking to ensure it did not become "collateral damage" as the US raises tariffs on its trading partners.

Beyond trade, discussions at the meeting also focused on the evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly strategic competition between the US and China.
"I'm glad that, at least at this point in time, neither of them are forcing us to choose sides," he said.

Instead, both countries recognised ASEAN's priorities of developing its economies, deepening regional integration, securing access to emerging technologies and preserving free trade, Dr Balakrishnan said.

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