Singapore prime minister warns of turbulence ahead in 'post-American' order | FT Interview

Summary

In this insightful conversation, the Prime Minister of Singapore discusses the evolving global landscape, emphasizing the importance of trade partnerships with Europe and ASEAN to maintain open trade routes. He addresses the anxiety among young people worldwide and stresses the need for domestic reassurance in Singapore, ensuring youth have confidence in their future. Reflecting on leadership challenges, the Prime Minister shares the difficulty of making tough decisions, such as party renewal, and the necessity of staying ahead for long-term success. A candid and thought-provoking discussion on political leadership and global strategy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Singapore aims to strengthen trade relations with Europe, focusing on strategic opportunities like the EU-ASEAN partnership, which covers 40% of global trade.
• 😀 Discussions are underway for a formal partnership between the EU and ASEAN, potentially encompassing one-third of global trade if successful.
• 😀 Singapore is looking to keep trade routes open despite a more fragmented global trade system, seeking new avenues for collaboration and reinvigoration.
• 😀 The rise of youth movements, including Gen Z activism in Asia and Africa, reflects growing global anxiety and concerns about the future.
• 😀 In response to growing concerns among young people globally, Singapore is focused on assuring its youth and offering them confidence in a better future.
• 😀 The Prime Minister of Singapore highlights the global shift towards a more chaotic and unstable environment, causing anxiety among youth.
• 😀 Managing people within the political party, especially renewing team members and making difficult decisions about leadership, has been one of the hardest challenges faced.
• 😀 Political leadership in Singapore involves making tough decisions about party renewal, ensuring future success despite the challenges of maintaining the status quo.
• 😀 The Prime Minister stresses the importance of team renewal within the ruling party (PAP) to avoid long-term negative consequences, emphasizing the difficulty of dropping long-serving members.
• 😀 Despite the challenges of leadership renewal, Singapore's PAP achieved a successful election outcome, showing the effectiveness of making tough choices for long-term stability.

Q & A

What is Singapore's strategy in light of the changing global trade dynamics?

Singapore is focused on forging closer links with Europe and expanding its trade partnerships. This includes discussions on a formal partnership between the CPTPP and the EU, which together account for a significant portion of global trade. Singapore aims to reinvigorate trade and create new opportunities despite the increasingly fragmented global system.

How does Singapore view the potential of an EU-ASEAN free trade agreement?

Singapore sees a potential EU-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA) as a key opportunity. The EU has already signed or moved forward on FTAs with several ASEAN countries, and if an EU-ASEAN agreement is finalized, it could cover one-third of global trade, significantly boosting trade relations.

What is the main challenge Singapore faces with domestic social and political liberalization?

The main challenge is balancing political liberalization with the concerns of young people. As global instability rises, Singapore faces growing anxiety among its youth, who are worried about their future. The government aims to provide assurance and confidence to young people to navigate these uncertainties and build a better future.

How does the global youth movement impact Singapore's domestic politics?

The global youth movement, which includes trends like 'lying flat' in China and 'hikikomori' in Japan, reflects rising anxiety about the future. In Singapore, the government is aware of these concerns and is focused on policies that give young people confidence in their ability to succeed in an unstable world.

What are the key concerns of young people globally, and how does Singapore relate to them?

Globally, young people are experiencing anxiety due to a less stable and more chaotic environment. In Singapore, this concern is felt as well, and the government is working to create opportunities for young people to feel more secure in their futures. This includes addressing social and political challenges as part of a broader strategy to engage the youth.

How does Singapore's political system address leadership renewal within the ruling party?

Leadership renewal is a key aspect of the ruling party's success. Singapore's government regularly evaluates and renews its leadership team ahead of elections to ensure freshness and relevance. This sometimes involves difficult decisions to drop members in favor of new candidates, which can be painful but is seen as essential for long-term success.

What was the hardest aspect of being Singapore's Prime Minister, according to the speaker?

The hardest part of being Prime Minister has been managing people, particularly in terms of party leadership. The challenge involves making tough decisions about renewing the leadership team and sometimes letting go of members, a process that can be emotionally difficult but necessary for the future of the party.

How does the Prime Minister view the process of leadership renewal within the People's Action Party?

The Prime Minister views leadership renewal as crucial for the party's long-term success. Regular renewal of the team is necessary to avoid stagnation. This involves tough decisions about which members to drop, ensuring that the party stays dynamic and relevant to the evolving needs of the nation.

What is the significance of Singapore's relationship with the United States, particularly in the context of global politics?

Singapore has been fostering a strong relationship with the United States, including discussions with President Trump. Although the Prime Minister has not met Trump yet, a future meeting is possible during ASEAN summits, and they have already had a productive phone conversation. Singapore’s engagement with global superpowers is crucial for maintaining its position in the changing international order.

How does the Prime Minister feel about balancing political leadership with managing international relations?

The Prime Minister emphasizes the importance of balancing domestic political leadership with managing international relations. It involves not just leading the country but also managing interactions with global powers, such as the United States, while ensuring domestic political stability through leadership renewal and strategic decision-making.