PM Lee to make first trip to US under Biden administration

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be visiting the United States between Mar 26 and Apr 2, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has said.

This will be his first visit to Washington DC since Joseph Biden took over as president; it is also the first visit by an Asean leader on Biden's watch.

This will be his first visit to the US since September 2019, PMO said in a statement on Friday (Mar 25). The visit will build on the "robust, long-standing and multi-faceted relationship" between the 2 countries.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong, Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo, as well as officials from the PMO and the respective ministries will join him for the visit.

During the trip, PM Lee will meet President Biden, Vice-President Harris, other Cabinet secretaries and senior members of the US Senate and House of Representatives. He will review and discuss ways to further advance close cooperation between Singapore and the US in various fields.

PM Lee will also participate in a dialogue at the Council on Foreign Relations.

In New York City, he will meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, industry and financial sector leaders, as well as other prominent US personalities, said the PMO.

Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean will be Acting Prime Minister during PM Lee's absence.