Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong said about one-third of Singapore shipments to the United States are affected, while semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and some electronics remain exempt, illustrating broader spillover from U.S. tariff actions across Asian exporters.
Singapore said a 12.5% U.S. tariff imposed on July 24 under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 will affect about one-third of its exports to the United States, worth S$9.5 billion ($7.4 billion). Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong said the measure covers products including optical instruments and chemical products, while energy and energy products, certain electronics and aerospace products, as well as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, remain exempt. Gan said Washington linked the tariff to Singapore not having a law banning imports made with forced labour and not having an Agreement of Reciprocal Trade with the U.S.; Singapore says there is no evidence it is involved in trade in goods produced with forced labour. The development also highlights wider spillover from U.S. tariff measures across Asia's export-driven economies.