PM hopeful good ties will be sustained over long term

WASHINGTON, DC — A day after Singapore and the United States laid out an ambitious vision for future bilateral cooperation in a wide spectrum of areas, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed hope that the next generation of Singaporean leaders would sustain the Republic’s excellent ties with America, as he wrapped up a landmark visit here that marked the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relations between both countries.

Mr Lee also lauded US President Barack Obama’s role in pushing for the landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact. He added that Singapore will continue speaking up to convince the sceptics of the 12-nation agreement, which covers around 40 per cent of the world’s total economic output. 

Speaking to the Singapore media here on Wednesday morning (Washington, DC time), Mr Lee said that his four-day official visit, the first by a Singapore prime minister in over 30 years, was a recognition of strong ties between both countries.

“It’s a celebration of 50 years of partnership with the US, and an indication that we would like this partnership to continue for many more years to come, in a region which has changed, which has a different strategic outlook, and yet with a US still continuing to be able to make a contribution, and still in fact playing an indispensable role,” he said.

More broadly, the success of US-Singapore relations depends on “shared values, shared interests, (and) shared perspectives on the world”, he noted, adding that both countries have outward-looking perspectives, want a stable Asia and are willing to engage partners to do that.

“It has worked for us for the last 50 years,” said Mr Lee. “The next phase, we are widening and deepening our cooperation. We have seeded new areas on this trip, talked about cyber-security, talked about smart cities cooperation, talked about having scholarships for student exchanges so as to enhance the people-to-people ties. 

“I think there are many good things going, and we have to take it step by step, but at the same time be able to sustain it into the next generation of leaders, which is one the reasons why, on this trip, I’ve brought along some young Members of Parliament and young ministers.” 

Mr Lee was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung, Members of Parliament Christopher de Souza and Rahayu Mahzam, and Nominated Member of Parliament Chia Yong Yong during the visit.

Mr Lee and his wife, Madam Ho Ching, were officially welcomed by Mr Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in a stately ceremony on Tuesday morning (Washington, DC time) at the White House, where Mr Obama described Singapore as a “rock solid” partner of the US and an “anchor” for the American presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

This was followed by a meeting between the leaders at the Oval Office and the release of an ambitious joint statement to map out future bilateral cooperation in defence, cyber-security, innovation, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

One issue that featured prominently throughout the visit was the TPP, which Mr Lee described as an “economic game changer” for the US and an important legacy of Mr Obama. Mr Lee also reiterated that the ratification of the TPP was vital for American leadership and credibility in the Asia-Pacific region, while acknowledging that this has been a tough election year for the US because Americans are wary of the country’s active global engagement. 

PM Lee Hsien Loong signs the guestbook at Blair House as Ho Ching and US Assistant Chief of Protocol and Blair House General Manager Randell Bumgardner look on. Photo: Jason Quah

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Since the TPP was signed in February, its future has been plunged into doubt as the two leading US presidential candidates, Ms Hillary Clinton and Mr Donald Trump, are against ratifying the agreement. The two argue that it would kill American jobs and does not guard against currency manipulation, among other things. 

Asked by Singaporean media how Singapore can help push the ratification process, Mr Lee said: “We can speak up. We have participated in the negotiations, we have helped make a good agreement which benefits all parties … We hope this agreement will go through.” 

Mr Lee said one vivid memory he has of Mr Obama is how the latter would take any opportunity to push other leaders to make progress on the TPP. “Each time we would have a gathering of TPP members … he’s personally pushing and personally committed,” Mr Lee recounted.

And despite the fraught presidential election campaign in the US, Mr Obama has been pushing hard to ratify the agreement by January next year when he steps down from office. “I think it shows his determination and purpose, and we will do what we can to help,” said Mr Lee.

Analysts say the broad range of bilateral initiatives announced during Mr Lee’s visit attests to the breadth and depth of Singapore-US ties and the commitment by both sides to strengthen it even further.

“Countries in the region will perceive this as further proof of Singapore’s long-standing, close relationship with the US, which, though formally designated a strategic partnership, is in fact already seen as being on a par and even exceeding cooperation with some of Washington’s allies,” said Mr Prashanth Parameswaran, associate editor of The Diplomat magazine. 

He added, however, that Singapore’s strong partnership with the US while also pursuing closer ties with China “is always a tough balancing act”.

On how Singapore’s partners in the region would view his visit this week, Mr Lee said it was a reflection of the US’ emphasis and weight it gives to all of its friends in the Asia-Pacific region. 

“It so happens that we are the ones invited, but it’s not just because they are friends with Singapore, but Singapore is in the Asia Pacific and America values the Asia Pacific, and values all its friends in the Asia Pacific. So I think that’s how it should be seen, and that’s how we in Singapore see it.”