DPM Gan plans US visit to discuss tariffs, business opportunities for Singapore
'This (trip) will allow us to get a better understanding of US concerns, their priorities, their interests, and to explore opportunities that we can work together on to strengthen the bilateral relationship that have so far been mutually beneficial,' he said during a press conference held by the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce on July 10.
While details of the trip are still being planned, DPM Gan said there are broadly three key objectives that he would focus on during his US visit.
The top priority will be to further the discussions on tariffs on pharmaceuticals being contemplated by the US administration. The US is a major destination for Singapore's drugmakers that include American multinationals such as Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
DPM Gan said he will explore various ways to 'facilitate trade between Singapore and the US on pharmaceuticals'.
Singapore is already in talks with the US Department of Commerce
on the issue of pharma tariffs .
'As discussions with the US are ongoing, I will not be able to share more details at this point, but I will continue to keep you updated should developments happen, whenever possible,' he said.
' (The) second area is a broader discussion with the US administration, to better understand their priorities, areas of interest, and to see whether there are opportunities for us to strengthen bilateral economic relationship, both on investment as well as trade, and also to look at the technology cooperation between our two countries,' said DPM Gan.
'I think there are many areas that we can discuss from an economic point of view,' he added.
The third objective of his visit is to meet private sector representatives – business leaders as well as academics – to have an exchange of views to better understand their thinking, their plans, and to seek opportunities for cooperation.
'There are potential opportunities that our businesses here in Singapore can explore in the US, such as in AI technology and advanced manufacturing,' he said.
Responding to a question, DPM Gan said the discussions with the US Department of Commerce is focused on how the two sides can evolve a system of practices that are practical and implementable.
'Because, as you know, pharmaceuticals have a very complex supply chain and a very long supply chain. So how can we make sure that we are able to continue to facilitate the trade between Singapore and the US with regard to pharmaceuticals – this is the focus of the discussion on pharmaceuticals.'
He added that Singapore and the US have not yet commenced any discussions on semiconductors – another major Singapore export that is also the subject of a US tariff investigation.
'I think this is something that will be at the back of our mind, and we will probably touch on semiconductors after we have settled the pharmaceuticals discussion with the Department of Commerce ,' he said.
DPM Gan, in response to another query, said: 'We certainly look forward to the appointment of the American ambassador here in Singapore so that we can work with him to see how we can continue to further strengthen the mutually beneficial bilateral relationship between Singapore and us.'
Dr Anjani Sinha, US President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Singapore,
had a
US
Senate confirmation hearing
on July 9 .
'It's not just economics. Our collaboration, our relationship is very broad-based – that includes defence , culture, and people-to-people exchanges. So there are many aspects of collaboration between Singapore and the US that we look forward to working with the new ambassador here in Singapore.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Stanford student newspaper sues Trump administration for alleged free speech violations
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: The Hoover Tower rises above Stanford University in this aerial photo in Stanford, California, U.S. on January 13, 2017. Picture taken January 13, 2017. REUTERS/Noah Berger/File Photo Stanford University's student newspaper sued the Trump Administration on Wednesday, arguing it has violated the free-speech rights of foreign students by threatening to deport them for writing stories that it considers "anti-American or anti-Israel." The Stanford Daily and two unidentified students said in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in California against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, that foreign students at the Palo Alto, California, school have refused to write about the conflict in the Middle East for fear they could be arrested, detained and deported. "This pall of fear is incompatible with American liberty," the lawsuit said. "Our First Amendment stands as a bulwark against the government infringing the inalienable human right to think and speak for yourself." Spokespeople for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "In the United States of America, no one should fear a midnight knock on the door for voicing the wrong opinion,' Stanford Daily attorney Conor Fitzpatrick said in a statement. A spokesperson for Stanford University said the newspaper is an independent organization and that the school is not part of the lawsuit. The Trump administration has attempted to deport students who have expressed pro-Palestinian views, calling them antisemitic and extremist sympathizers whose presence in the country was adverse to U.S. foreign policy. Protesters say that the government wrongly conflates their criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and extremism. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds World Trump eyes 100% chips tariff, but 0% for US investors like Apple World White House says Trump open to meeting Russia's Putin and Ukraine's Zelensky Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore ST and Uniqlo launch design contest for Singapore stories T-shirt collection Asia Malaysia plans barrierless toll system modelled after Singapore's ERP Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Judges have ordered the release of some students who the administration arrested and detained without being charged with a crime. The Stanford Daily said in its lawsuit that the administration has caused its foreign writers to self-censor to avoid being targeted. It argued that the administration's threats prevent them from "engaging in protected expression like attending protests, using certain slogans, and publicly voicing their true views about American foreign policy, Israel, and Palestine." The newspaper asked the court to rule that the U.S. Constitution prevents the government from deporting non-citizens for engaging in free speech. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Stanford student newspaper sues Trump administration for alleged free speech violation
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A spokesperson for Stanford University said the newspaper is an independent organisation and that the school is not part of the lawsuit. PALO ALTO - Stanford University's student newspaper sued the Trump Administration on Aug 6, arguing it has violated the free-speech rights of foreign students by threatening to deport them for writing stories that it considers 'anti-American or anti-Israel'. The Stanford Daily and two unidentified students said in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in California against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, that foreign students at the Palo Alto, California, school have refused to write about the conflict in the Middle East for fear they could be arrested, detained and deported. 'This pall of fear is incompatible with American liberty,' the lawsuit said. 'Our First Amendment stands as a bulwark against the government infringing the inalienable human right to think and speak for yourself.' The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'In the United States of America, no one should fear a midnight knock on the door for voicing the wrong opinion,' Stanford Daily attorney Conor Fitzpatrick said in a statement. A spokesperson for Stanford University said the newspaper is an independent organisation and that the school is not part of the lawsuit. The Trump administration has attempted to deport students who have expressed pro-Palestinian views, calling them antisemitic and extremist sympathisers whose presence in the country was adverse to US foreign policy. Protesters say that the government wrongly conflates their criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza and advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and extremism. Judges have ordered the release of some students who the administration arrested and detained without being charged with a crime. The Stanford Daily said in its lawsuit that the administration has caused its foreign writers to self-censor to avoid being targeted. It argued that the administration's threats prevent them from 'engaging in protected expression like attending protests, using certain slogans, and publicly voicing their true views about American foreign policy, Israel, and Palestine'. The newspaper asked the court to rule that the US Constitution prevents the government from deporting non-citizens for engaging in free speech. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
China extends probe on imported beef in respite for global suppliers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox China has extended for three months an investigation period for beef imports. BEIJING/CHICAGO - China has extended for three months an investigation period for beef imports, the commerce ministry said on Aug 6, giving global suppliers a breather from the prospect of trade curbs as the domestic industry battles to reduce a supply glut. The inquiry, launched in December 2024, came as slowing demand squeezes the world's largest market for imports and consumption, but does not target a particular country. Trade measures to reduce imports could hit major suppliers such as Argentina, Australia and Brazil, after China has already restricted imports from the United States. The investigation will now run until Nov 26, the ministry said, citing 'the large volume of investigative work and the complexity of the case'. It also pledged to ensure a 'healthy and stable' global trade environment by communicating with all parties. 'It's definitely a relief to beef exporters,' said Ms Even Rogers Pay, agriculture analyst at Trivium China. 'The extension buys Beijing a few months to see whether the domestic industry can regain profitability without safeguards, and hopefully to make progress on other issues with major beef exporters.' Although trade measures such as quota curbs were still not completely off the table, it was more likely something could be worked out quietly rather than being imposed, she added. Authorities have ramped up support for the industry, including financial measures. In July, an agriculture ministry official said beef cattle farming had been 'generally profitable' for three consecutive months. China imported a record 2.87 million metric tons of beef in 2024, but imports of 1.3 million metric tons for the first half of 2025 were down 9.5 per cent on the year. China has restricted imports of American meat by not renewing registrations that permitted shipments from hundreds of US beef facilities after they expired in March, according to the US Meat Export Federation, an industry group. 'The vast majority of our plants aren't eligible to ship to China presently,' federation spokesperson Joe Schuele said. 'While the safeguard investigation is important, it's not at the top of our minds. The most urgent situation is to get our plants registered for China.' Without exports to China, the federation estimated the US beef industry's lost opportunities at about US$4 billion (S$5.2 billion) annually. 'Consistent and transparent plant approvals, without expiration, were among the most important components of the 2020 Phase One Agreement with China,' federation President Dan Halstrom said, referring to the trade pact signed during US President Donald Trump's first term. 'It's time for China to return to those commitments.' REUTERS
