Engaging with U.S., China honestly a key precedence, says Singapore PM Wong

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks through the swearing-in ceremony of Singapore’s new Cabinet Ministers on the Istana, in Singapore, on May 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

A key precedence for Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong can be to deepen the trade-focused nation’s relations with the main powers, particularly the U.S. and China, participating with them honestly in a principled method whereas not getting caught of their rivalry.

Speaking after his newly re-elected authorities was sworn-in on Friday (May 23, 2025), Mr. Wong harassed, “Where our interests align, we will work with them (the US and China). Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore’s security and sovereignty.”

He additionally added that the primary precedence could be to safe an “assured place” for Singapore on this “changed world”.

Singapore, mentioned Mr. Wong, may even search new ties with international locations in elements of the world, like Africa and South America, the place it doesn’t have a lot presence but.

“In a world of shifting alliances, we will be a steady and constructive partner, one willing and able to contribute to peace and stability, to advance dialogue and fraternity, and support a rules-based global order,” he mentioned.

“Our goal is not just to navigate this uncertain world, but to help shape it for the better, by working with like-minded partners, and upholding shared principles and values, so that small nations too have a place under the sun,” he mentioned.

The nation’s financial methods can be reviewed and up to date for the brand new panorama, he mentioned, including that the federal government will develop “a new economic blueprint for our next phase” to maintain Singapore’s aggressive edge and create good jobs for Singaporeans.

It may even assist companies, households and employees “weather the storm” as world development slows within the close to time period, added 52-year-old Mr. Wong, who secured a landslide win within the May 3 basic election.

Mr. Wong’s first electoral outing as head of the nation’s fourth-generation management noticed the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) taking 87 out of 97 seats within the nation’s fifteenth Parliament.

Mr. Wong famous that when problems with race and faith surfaced within the current election, “we did not allow them to divide us”, a signal of how far multi-ethnic Singapore has come as a society, and a reminder that racial and spiritual concord can’t be taken as a right.

The authorities may even put together Singapore for the longer term, notably in rushing up the transition to cleaner vitality and adapting to the realities of local weather change, he mentioned.

“The international community and investors would have taken note of these outcomes. They would see a nation that is united, standing firmly behind its leaders, and placing confidence in a government with the strength and security to secure Singapore’s place in an unpredictable world,” he mentioned.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Singapore’s new Cabinet on the Istana (Presidential Palace).