In an era of great power politics, countries must cooperate to protect multilateralism: DPM Wong

[BERLIN] As the world returns to an era of great power politics, it is crucial for countries to work together for better global outcomes – including Singapore and Germany, which are aligned on many issues, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Apr 9).

“We share common strategic perspectives around upholding the rule of law, multilateralism, open trading systems, (and) pushing back against protectionism and economic fragmentation, just to cite a few examples,” he said.

Wong was speaking at a reception for Singaporeans living in Germany, held at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin. The event capped the Berlin leg of his ongoing six-day trip to Germany and France – his first official visit to Europe as DPM.

Earlier that day, Wong had called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and both countries agreed to work towards elevating relations to a Strategic Partnership. France is currently the only European Union member state with which Singapore has a Strategic Partnership.

Noting “very good visits and meetings with German leaders” during his two days in Berlin, Wong said the Singapore-Germany relationship is one “that we truly value, especially in a world which is undergoing tumultuous changes”.

In Europe, wars were thought to be a thing of the past – until Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “changed everything”, noted Wong. “Now we are back in an era of great power politics and we have to brace ourselves for more competition and possibly even conflict in the world.”

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It is therefore important for countries to work closely and shape better global outcomes – with Singapore and Germany able to do this as they are aligned on many fronts, he added.

He noted that the relationship is longstanding: from Germany providing assistance in Singapore’s early years of development, to its economic presence in the Republic continuing to grow today.

More Singaporeans are in Germany as students in universities; scientists and researchers in top German companies; and people in the arts and creative sector, he added.

Singapore also has “substantial” defence links with Germany that span military training, cybersecurity and other technologies, said Wong. Singapore has procured four German-built Invincible-class submarines and thus far launched three of them, with Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean visiting Germany later this month to launch the fourth.

Facilitating investment

Earlier on Tuesday, Wong also met German finance minister Christian Lindner. They discussed how to advance finance cooperation and facilitate investment in each other’s economies, said Wong in a post on X, describing the meeting as “fruitful”.

Earlier in his trip, Wong had met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Robert Habeck, the country’s Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The second and final leg of Wong’s Europe trip takes him to Paris, where he will be from Wednesday to Saturday. While in the French capital, his itinerary includes a call on French President Emmanuel Macron as well as attending the opening of Temasek’s new office there.