Singapore may get preferential or tariff exemption for pharma exports in US trade talks: DPM Gan

Business Times

16-05-2025

[SINGAPORE] THERE is a prospect that Singapore's pharmaceutical exports to the US may be tariff-free, based on ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
The US has offered to discuss 'some form of concession for Singapore to have an official preferential tariff, even to the extent of zero tariff, for pharmaceutical exports to the US', said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on Friday (May 16).
DPM Gan was giving an update on Singapore's negotiations with the US, which are centred on sectoral tariffs – chiefly for pharmaceutical exports, though the US has also indicated plans for semiconductor tariffs.
In exchange, Singapore may have to ensure 'a smoother flow of goods' and the 'security of supply chains', he said at a doorstop at the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, which he chairs. He did not give details, citing the confidential nature of the discussions.
The task force was set up shortly after US President Donald Trump unleashed his 'Liberation Day' tariffs on Apr 2, with a 10 per cent baseline duty and higher reciprocal tariffs for some countries.
A week later, a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs was introduced for most countries.
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There is a 'significant opportunity' as pharmaceuticals remain a key part of Singapore's exports to the US – but the negotiations are likely to be a 'fairly long journey' due to the high level of details involved, DPM Gan warned.
There are also discussions on semiconductors, but 'the details are not available yet', he added.
'They are happy to discuss with Singapore how we can ensure continued supply, and the reverse is also important – that they are also keen to see how they continue to supply Singapore with semiconductor technology so that we will support our digital economy or semiconductor industries.'
Given the widely-held belief that consumers bear the cost of import tariffs, a concession on pharmaceutical products would be consistent with President Trump's desire to bring down drug prices in the US.
Despite the US tariff pause and ongoing talks on pharmaceutical rates, Singapore is not further revising its growth projection for now, amid heightened global uncertainty, DPM Gan said on Friday.
'The fact that the US and China are at the discussion table is encouraging, but it's too early to tell what the outcome will be, and the uncertainty remains,' he said.
So while the talks are encouraging, Singapore must 'exercise caution', he added.
Singapore downgraded its full-year growth outlook to 0 to 2 per cent last month, from an earlier projection of 1 to 3 per cent.
DPM Gan, who is also trade and industry minister, noted that tariff uncertainty is causing businesses to hold back on investment and hiring decisions.
'The slowdown in investment will also result in the slowdown of the global economy and domestic economy,' he said.
US tariffs on China imports were cranked up to 145 per cent at their peak, then slashed to 30 per cent for a 90-day period, following a May 14 meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Geneva.
DPM Gan noted that some companies may be front-loading exports during this 90-day window, leading to a short-term boost. Singapore's non-oil domestic exports surged 12.4 per cent in April, Enterprise Singapore data showed on Friday.
Yet this is 'really no consolation', explained DPM Gan, as it merely represents 'advance sales', and exports and production will eventually slow down.
Potential support measures
DPM Gan gave an overview of the task force's three key areas of work: information, engaging businesses and longer-term strategy.
The task force has been speaking to both multinational corporations and smaller companies to prepare them for the tariff impact and learn how to better support them.
DPM Gan said that the task force has started working on potential support measures that can be rolled out 'when the situation warrants it'.
These include enhancements to schemes in Budget 2025, such as the Market Readiness Assistance Grant for going overseas; financing schemes with local banks; and job-creation efforts.
Asked what the tipping point for such a roll-out would be, the minister replied that there is no specific index being watched, but the task force is monitoring 'the overall development of the global situation, as well as the domestic and economic situation'.
There may be both broad-based measures to help the economy as a whole, and 'very targeted measures' for affected sectors, he added.
For example, some companies that export directly to the US could see orders slowing down, and may thus need more capital since payments may be dragged out.
Change in line-up?
With a Cabinet reshuffle imminent after the May 3 General Election (GE), DPM Gan did not rule out the possibility that the line-up of the task force could change.
'We may need to make some adjustments to the membership, because the membership is taken from ministers with a specific portfolio,' he said.
Besides DPM Gan, the task force comprises four other ministers and three tripartite representatives – one each from the Singapore Business Federation, the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation.