
Singapore, US to discuss ‘zero' or preferential tariffs on pharmaceutical exports
Singapore may be able to escape tariffs on pharmaceutical exports to the United States even if Washington goes ahead with plans to introduce this sectoral tariff, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Friday.
The US has offered to discuss concessions for Singapore on these goods, he told reporters as part of an update on a task force he leads to address the impact of US tariffs.
Mr Gan said the US wants to use the sectoral tariff to secure the supply chain for its pharmaceutical supplies.
'They have offered Singapore to say that, why not, both Singapore and US can sit down and discuss some form of a concession for Singapore to have a beneficial or preferential tariff, even to the extent of zero tariff for pharmaceutical exports to the US,' he said.
That would require some effort from Singapore to ensure that the supply chain is secure. 'These are the details that we are discussing,' he added.
Mr Gan, who is also Minister of Trade and Industry, said this is a significant opportunity and agreement for Singapore because pharmaceutical goods are an important part of the country's exports to the US.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
US police prepare for hundreds of thousands to attend army parade in Washington
Police agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend a celebration in Washington for the US Army's 250th anniversary on June 14, US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool told a press briefing on Monday. Advertisement McCool said thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from local, state and federal police agencies from across the country for security. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Metropolitan Police Department both told reporters there were no credible threats to the event. 'We're preparing for an enormous turnout,' McCool said. 'That is why we are leaving no stone unturned.' The event, which will coincide with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, includes an army birthday festival on the National Mall and will culminate with a parade through the capital and an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony presided over by the president. Security preparations include 18.5 miles of anti-scale fencing, 17 miles of concrete barriers, 175 magnetometers and officers from federal, state and local agencies standing guard. There will be drones operated by the Secret Service, McCool said. Advertisement Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department said there will be major impacts to traffic, including road closures, around the National Mall, West Potomac Park and The Ellipse.


South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
US police prepare for hundreds of thousands to attend army parade in Washington
Police agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend a celebration in Washington for the US Army's 250th anniversary on June 14, US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool told a press briefing on Monday. Advertisement McCool said thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from local, state and federal police agencies from across the country for security. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Metropolitan Police Department both told reporters there were no credible threats to the event. 'We're preparing for an enormous turnout,' McCool said. 'That is why we are leaving no stone unturned.' The event, which will coincide with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, includes an army birthday festival on the National Mall and will culminate with a parade through the capital and an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony presided over by the president. Security preparations include 18.5 miles of anti-scale fencing, 17 miles of concrete barriers, 175 magnetometers and officers from federal, state and local agencies standing guard. There will be drones operated by the Secret Service, McCool said. Advertisement Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department said there will be major impacts to traffic, including road closures, around the National Mall, West Potomac Park and The Ellipse.


South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Robert F. Kennedy Jnr ousts CDC vaccine committee, pledges to replace with own picks
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jnr on Monday removed every member of a scientific committee that advises the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on how to use vaccines and pledged to replace them with his own picks. Advertisement Doctors and public health groups criticised the move to oust all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices. Kennedy, who was one of the nation's leading anti-vaccine activists before becoming the nation's top health official, has not said who he would appoint to the panel, but said it would convene in just two weeks in Atlanta, Georgia. Although it is typically not viewed as a partisan board, the Biden administration had installed the entire committee. 'Without removing the current members, the current Trump administration would not have been able to appoint a majority of new members until 2028,' Kennedy wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. 'A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science. ' Advertisement Kennedy said the committee members had too many conflicts of interest. Committee members routinely disclose any possible conflicts at the start of public meetings.