Singapore will keep working closely with Malaysia, Asean to deepen economic integration: PM Wong

SINGAPORE – Singapore will continue working closely with Malaysia and its Asean partners to deepen regional economic integration and engage constructively with their global trading partners, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said.

His comments, in a Facebook post late on April 4, come in the wake of US President Donald Trump announcing sweeping tariffs on all imports into America.

PM Wong put up his post after he spoke to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the phone to convey his Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings.

He noted that even as celebrations continue, it had been a sobering week with significant developments in the region and beyond.

“In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever for Singapore, Malaysia, and our Asean neighbours to strengthen our cooperation and solidarity,” he wrote.

“PM Anwar and I discussed the humanitarian situation in Myanmar in the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquake. We also exchanged views on the recent US tariffs.”

PM Wong added that he looked forward to further face-to-face discussions with his counterpart when they meet for the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May.

Malaysia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of Asean in 2025, has said the summit is slated to be held on May 26 and 27.

PM Wong had addressed the US tariffs earlier on April 4, saying Singapore ought to be clear-eyed about the dangers ahead, with global institutions getting weaker and international norms eroding.

In a five-minute video uploaded to his social media accounts, he said the US moves were a seismic change to the global order.

And they could spell trouble for all nations, especially small ones like Singapore, if others adopted a similar approach of trading only on their preferred terms, PM Wong noted.

“We will build up our capabilities. We will strengthen our network of partnerships with like-minded countries,” he said. “But we must brace ourselves for more shocks to come,” he added.

In a Facebook post on April 4, Mr Anwar said he had phone conversations with leaders of several Asean countries to exchange views and coordinate a collective response to the issue of reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US.

Apart from PM Wong, these included Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, and the Philippines’ President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

“As the chair of Asean, Malaysia remains committed to fostering consensus among member states and upholding the principles of fairness and equity in all trade negotiations, including in Asean-US dialogue frameworks,” Mr Anwar said.

“The upcoming Asean Economic Ministers’ Meeting next week will continue deliberations on this matter and seek the best possible solution for all member countries,” he added.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry said in a statement on April 4 that it would engage with the US to find an amicable and fair solution to the tariffs imposed.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Zafrul Aziz will also chair a special meeting of Asean economic ministers on April 10, it added.

“The meeting is expected to discuss the broader implications of the US tariff measures on regional trade and investment flows, macroeconomic stability and Asean’s coordinated response to uphold the region’s economic interests and longstanding commitment to an open, fair and rules-based trading system,” the statement said.

The US has applied the baseline tariff of 10 per cent to imports from Singapore, and said it would take effect on April 5.

It also announced varying levels of tariffs for the other nine Asean countries, which are set to take effect on April 9.

These rates are 18 per cent for the Philippines, 24 per cent for Malaysia and Brunei, and 32 per cent for Indonesia.

The tariff for Thailand was 37 per cent, while that for Myanmar was 44 per cent, and for Vietnam, 46 per cent. The tariffs were highest for Laos at 48 per cent, and Cambodia at 49 per cent.

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