30-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Singapore on Tuesday for a two-day official visit, marking the latest leg of his extensive tour of the Indo-Pacific region. This diplomatic engagement comes at a time of significant political turbulence in the United States, underscoring the Biden administration’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with key allies in Asia.
Blinken’s visit to Singapore is part of a broader six-country tour that includes stops in Laos, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, and Mongolia. The trip, his 18th to the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrates the United States’ continued focus on strengthening its presence and partnerships in this strategically vital area.
During his stay in Singapore, Blinken’s itinerary includes high-level meetings with Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. These discussions are expected to cover a range of bilateral and regional issues, reflecting the depth of the US-Singapore relationship.
A highlight of Blinken’s visit will be co-chairing the second US-Singapore Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) Dialogue alongside US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who will participate virtually. Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and Dr Balakrishnan will also take part in this crucial forum.
The CET Dialogue, first launched in Washington last October, aims to foster collaboration between the two nations across business, scientific, and national security sectors. US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasised that this dialogue will “advance initiatives to strengthen ties between our innovation ecosystems and reduce barriers to collaboration while protecting national security”.
Blinken’s trip comes at a politically tumultuous time in the United States. Recent weeks have seen President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race following a challenging debate performance against Republican nominee Donald Trump. This development, coupled with an assassination attempt on Trump, has created a volatile political landscape at home.
Despite these domestic upheavals, US State Department officials have stressed the importance of Blinken’s diplomatic mission. They view his presence in the region as crucial in demonstrating that America’s foreign policy trajectory remains steady, at least for the duration of Biden’s presidency.
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink articulated the overarching message of the trip: America is “all-in on the Indo-Pacific”. He further emphasised the need to reassure allies and partners that certain fundamentals of America’s engagement will remain consistent, regardless of political changes at home.