According to reports by Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao, on April 8 local time, regarding the US decision to impose tariffs on all trading partners, Singapore Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat clarified the government's position before Parliament. In this strongly worded speech, Heng Swee Keat stated that the US should not impose any tariffs on Singapore, expressing his "great disappointment," and noting that the actions taken by the US were "not something one does to a friend (not actions one does to a friend)." Heng Swee Keat mentioned that Singapore and the US have a free trade agreement, and Singapore imports more goods from the US than vice versa. Therefore, "if the US tariffs are indeed reciprocal and targeted at countries with trade surpluses with the US, then no tariffs should be imposed on Singapore." On February 2, US President Trump signed an executive order regarding so-called "reciprocal tariffs," announcing a 10% "minimum benchmark tariff" for US trade partners, with higher tariffs imposed on certain trade partners. Singapore, the only ASEAN country maintaining a trade deficit with the US, was also "not spared," being subjected to a 10% tariff. "We are very disappointed, especially because Singapore and the US have a deep and enduring friendship. This is not something one does to a friend," Heng Swee Keat said. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post cited data from the Office of the US Trade Representative, stating that in 2024, the US trade surplus with Singapore reached $2.8 billion, an increase of 84.8% over the previous year. During the same period, bilateral trade between the US and Singapore increased to $89.2 billion. [Image: https://p3-sign.toutiaoimg.com/tos-cn-i-tjoges91tu/a308e6c996628b146071dd9740b131ea~tplv-tt-origin-web:gif.jpeg?_iz=58558&from=article.pc_detail&lk3s=953192f4&x-expires=1744762136&x-signature=pt8aSoJh8Ds8bzbpJ4u7HJtmJyk%3D] Singapore Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat delivered a speech on April 8 regarding the US imposition of additional tariffs. Singapore's Straits Times reported. Heng Swee Keat stated that the global economy is currently in a transitional phase, full of uncertainty and increasing turbulence. For the past 80 years since the end of World War II, the US has been the pillar of global free trade, but it is now abandoning the system it created. "The US government claims that comprehensive tariff increases are aimed at addressing the US trade imbalance problem, but having a trade deficit itself is not wrong," emphasized Heng Swee Keat. He pointed out that the US focuses solely on merchandise trade, yet in reality, the US maintains a surplus in service trade with many countries, exporting software services, education, entertainment, finance, and business services to multiple countries, which has been completely overlooked. He warned that the risk of a global trade war is increasing. The US comprehensive tariffs mark a profound turning point in global trade - moving away from rule-based globalization into an era that is more "arbitrary, protectionist, and dangerous." Regarding Sino-US trade relations, Heng Swee Keat believed that disputes between China and the US should be resolved through the WTO framework, but also noted that the relevant mechanism has become "paralyzed" and requires restoration and reform. Heng Swee Keat also stated on the same day that the Singapore government is reassessing the growth forecast range of 1% to 3% for 2025 and may adjust it downward due to the deterioration of the global economic situation. Additionally, Singapore decided not to impose retaliatory tariffs on the US, reasoning that doing so would "only increase the cost for Singaporeans." This article is an exclusive contribution from Guancha Zazhi and cannot be reproduced without permission. Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7490956109541376547/ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and readers are invited to express their opinions by using the "thumbs up/thumbs down" buttons below.