DPM Gan Kim Yong visits US amid 12.5% tariff on Singapore exports
The visit aims to reaffirm trade and investment ties with the US and explore cooperation in emerging sectors, the Ministry of Trade and Industry says.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong addressing the media during the Economic Strategy Review mid-term update on Jan 29, 2026. (File photo: CNA/Alyssa Tan)
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SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong will meet US administration officials in Washington DC on Tuesday (Aug 25) to discuss trade and investment cooperation amid a 12.5 per cent tariff imposed on a range of Singapore exports.
Mr Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade), will be in the US from Aug 24 to 25, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Monday.
The visit will begin in New York City on Monday, where he will meet business and financial industry leaders, before heading to the capital.
In Washington DC, Mr Gan will meet members of the US administration to reaffirm strong trade and investment ties and discuss further cooperation in trade, investment and emerging sectors of mutual interest, MTI added.
Mr Gan last visited the US in April, as Singapore and the US marked six decades of diplomatic relations.
US TARIFFS OVER FORCED LABOUR
In July, the US imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on a range of Singapore exports following an investigation into 60 trading partners over their alleged failure to enforce bans on imports of goods produced with forced labour.
The new tariffs came after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s earlier “reciprocal” tariffs. About one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US were expected to be affected. Mr Gan said earlier this month that the affected exports were worth about S$9.5 billion (US$7.5 billion) annually.
Goods already subject to the US’ Section 232 national security tariffs, such as steel and aluminium, were exempted.
“Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour and has a comprehensive enforcement framework and good track record against such illegal practices within our borders,” MTI said at the time.
“Forced labour in complex and multi-tiered international supply chains is a transnational issue that requires international cooperation and is most effectively addressed at source,” it added.
Mr Gan also said earlier this month that Singapore had told the Office of the US Trade Representative that there was “no evidence that Singapore is involved in the trade of goods associated with forced labour”, citing data from the US Department of Labor and US Customs and Border Protection.
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SINGAPORE TAKES US CONCERNS SERIOUSLY: PM WONG
Mr Gan’s visit comes just a day after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his National Day Rally speech, during which he addressed the US concerns.
Beyond concerns over imports produced with forced labour, the US has also raised concerns about Chinese goods being routed through other countries to circumvent tariffs.
“Singapore takes both issues seriously. We have clear rules and laws in place. We enforce them and we expect companies operating here to comply,” Mr Wong said.
He said Singapore would investigate and take action if there was credible evidence of wrongdoing.
“But we must also be realistic about what Singapore can do on our own,” Mr Wong added.
As a major centre for re-exports and transshipment, Singapore sees goods pass through from all over the world, making it impossible to trace and verify the entire supply chain behind every product, Mr Wong said.
“We will continue engaging the US and explaining our position,” he added.
BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Mr Gan’s visit “will build on Singapore’s longstanding and multifaceted bilateral relationship with the US,” MTI said on Monday.
In 2025, merchandise trade between the US and Singapore amounted to S$139.2 billion, making the US Singapore’s fourth-largest trading partner in goods, MTI added.
The US was also Singapore’s largest trading partner in services, with bilateral services trade amounting to S$185.1 billion in 2024.
Singapore was the US’ third-largest Asian investor in 2025, with about US$53 billion in FDI stock, while the US was Singapore’s largest investor, with S$778.6 billion in FDI stock in 2024.
Bilateral trade and Singapore’s investments in the US support around 350,000 jobs there, according to MTI.
Source: CNA/rk(sz)
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