WTO Ministerial Conference 14: A tipping point for Singapore’s digital economy

IN RECENT weeks, a series of abrupt tariff moves has pushed global trade policy onto the front pages. After a US court ruling in February, the White House swiftly imposed a 10 per cent global import surcharge the next day, under Section 122 of the Trade Act 1974. 

And on Mar 12, Singapore was named a country for review under Section 301 for alleged excess manufacturing capacity and use of forced labour. These moves are attempts by the White House to keep tariffs on legally after Section 122 expires in July 2026.  

Simultaneously, the World Trade Organization (WTO) – the traditional referee of global trade – is struggling to enforce the rules. Its top court has been paralysed for years, so appeals hang in the void. With no firm referee, some larger countries are setting their own trade rules and retaliatory measures.