“Singapore-US Relations Strengthen as PM Wong and Secretary Blinken Discuss Key Initiatives “

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the Istana on July 31, 2024, as part of a regional trip to engage Asian and Southeast Asian nations. In a Facebook update, PM Wong praised the “excellent shape” of U.S.-Singapore relations, highlighting substantial partnerships in the economy, defense, and security sectors. He also noted new areas of collaboration, particularly in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and civilian nuclear energy.

“With the U.S. navigating global priorities, we are glad to see continued commitment toward Southeast Asia,” Wong stated, adding that he looks forward to strengthening bilateral and ASEAN partnerships with the U.S.

During Blinken’s visit, Singapore and the U.S. signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, known as the “123 Agreement.” The agreement, signed by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Blinken, grants Singapore access to nuclear expertise and positions it to engage deeply with U.S. civil nuclear experts. This agreement joins Singapore with other nations, including China, Japan, and Indonesia, who have previously entered into similar agreements with the U.S.

Singapore clarified that it has not made a decision on deploying nuclear energy domestically. Any future considerations will depend on studies assessing safety, reliability, and sustainability within Singapore’s context. Singapore is also set to join the U.S. State Department’s program on small modular reactor technology, aligning with responsible advancements in the field.