Singapore's silver linings playbook for the storm clouds ahead

Singapore

ECONOMISTS are divided on whether tensions will escalate or ease, following China's first retaliation to planned United States tariffs.

But they agree that as a small trade-dependent country, Singapore stands to lose from any trade war, notwithstanding possible gains from trade diversion.

Responding to US tariffs plans on US$60 billion worth of goods from China, China yesterday released a list of potential tariffs on US$3 billion worth of goods from the US.

Economists characterised China's move as "calibrated" and "measure…