Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong: "Risk of US-China Relationship Severance Is Not High"

US-China Tensions Escalate After Trump's Inauguration
Prime Minister Wong Answers Questions on "Singapore's Role"

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on the 21st (local time) assessed that considering the "high mutual interdependence between the U.S. and China," the risk of the U.S. severing ties with China at this stage is low. The photo shows Prime Minister Wong (right) reviewing the honor guard ahead of a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a welcoming ceremony held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on the 7th. (AP·Yonhap News) Photo by AP

As tensions between the US and China intensified following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong evaluated on the 21st (local time) that considering the "high US-China mutual interdependence," the risk of the US severing ties with China at this stage is not significant.

According to the Singapore Straits Times on the 22nd (local time), Lawrence Wong met with students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Cultural Centre on the 21st (local time) and responded this way when asked about "Singapore's role between the two great powers."

Prime Minister Wong said, "As long as the US does not force other countries to choose sides, Singapore will be able to navigate the deepening competition between the two great powers."

He also explained that "if the US cuts off relations with China, it would cause significant damage to the US economy and its people," noting that many of the goods the US manufactures, produces, or imports come from China. This is why he believes a complete severance cannot occur at this stage.

Emphasizing that Singapore maintains a "close cooperative relationship" with the US, he cited cooperation areas such as ▲defense and security ▲cybersecurity ▲nuclear energy ▲space collaboration. He expressed optimism that Singapore can strengthen this cooperation during President Trump's term.

Wong stressed, "As long as the two countries manage their competition without forcing countries like Singapore to choose sides and without dividing the world into a US bloc and a China bloc, we will be able to navigate this well."

He warned that such a severance would be catastrophic and could push the world to the "brink of World War III." However, Wong viewed this risk as not high and believed that countries can manage the situation and find ways to reduce conflicts.

He also said, "While the US and China continue to compete, other countries, even if they do not wield as much influence as the two great powers, can play their roles to prevent a full severance or conflict."

He added, "By doing so, we can manage the competition between the two great powers, maintain world peace, and continue to sustain an environment where we can prosper and grow."