DPM Gan Kim Yong visits US amid 12.5% tariff on Singapore exports

Mr Gan last visited the US in April, as Singapore and the US marked six decades of diplomatic relations.

US TARIFFS OVER FORCED LABOUR

In July, the US imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on a range of Singapore exports following an investigation into 60 trading partners over their alleged failure to enforce bans on imports of goods produced with forced labour.

The new tariffs came after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s earlier “reciprocal” tariffs. About one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US were expected to be affected. Mr Gan said earlier this month that the affected exports were worth about S$9.5 billion (US$7.5 billion) annually.

Goods already subject to the US’ Section 232 national security tariffs, such as steel and aluminium, were exempted.

“Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour and has a comprehensive enforcement framework and good track record against such illegal practices within our borders,” MTI said at the time. 

“Forced labour in complex and multi-tiered international supply chains is a transnational issue that requires international cooperation and is most effectively addressed at source,” it added.

Mr Gan also said earlier this month that Singapore had told the Office of the US Trade Representative that there was “no evidence that Singapore is involved in the trade of goods associated with forced labour”, citing data from the US Department of Labor and US Customs and Border Protection.