PM Wong congratulates US president-elect Trump, looks forward to enhancing bilateral relations
SINGAPORE and the United States share a longstanding, substantive, and mutually beneficial partnership and there is much more that both countries can do together, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a congratulatory letter to incoming US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Nov 6).
Extending his congratulations to Trump for winning the US election, PM Wong said: “The American people have given you an overwhelming mandate and placed their trust in you to lead the US again.
“I am confident that under your stewardship, the US will continue to grow and exercise its global leadership role.”
PM Wong noted how during Trump’s previous term as president, both countries made great strides in bilateral cooperation.
Singapore and the US renewed the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which supports US’ use of Singapore’s military facilities, affirming the strong defence ties between both countries.
“The MOU underscores our continued support for the US presence in the Asia-Pacific, which remains vital for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.”
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Both countries have also deepened their commercial and economic ties, PM Wong said, noting that since the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement came into effect in 2004, bilateral trade has almost tripled with the US maintaining a consistent trade surplus with Singapore. “Singapore continues to serve as a gateway to the South-east Asian region for around 6,000 American companies. Singapore is also the third-largest Asian investor in the US with over 200 companies in around 40 states. Our trade and Singapore investments support more than 270,000 good jobs in the US,” PM Wong said.
He added: “Our partnership has grown to key areas like critical and emerging technologies, cybersecurity, outer space, and nuclear energy. There is much more that our two countries can do together, and I look forward to working closely with you to take relations to greater heights.”
PM Wong also penned a letter to Trump’s vice-presidential running mate J.D. Vance, congratulating him in his new appointment.
He said: “Our relations are anchored by strategic trust and cooperation in defence, security, economic, and people-to-people ties.
“I look forward to working with you and president-elect Trump to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.”
As at Wednesday night, Trump has won 279 Electoral College votes versus 223 won by Democratic nominee and Vice-President Kamala Harris. To win the race to the White House, a candidate has to secure 270 electoral votes.
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