Oral reply to PQs on Impact of 12.5% tariff on Singapore's economy and measures taken to pursue exemption

Questions:

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) (a) what is the impact of the latest 12.5% tariff on Singapore's economy; (b) how is Singapore going to engage the US on the new tariff despite Singapore's trade surplus in favour of the US; and (c) what measures will the Government take to minimise the impact on Singaporean companies exporting to the US.

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) regarding the United States' 12.5% Section 301 forced labour tariff (a) how many direct engagements has the Minister had with the US Trade Representative since investigations were initiated in March 2026 and when were these engagements; (b) what evidence verifying local labour compliance has Singapore provided; and (c) what mechanisms are being pursued to secure an exemption from this tariff for Singapore.

Mr Victor Lye: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) given the Section 301 tariffs imposed on Singapore (a) whether the Ministry has asked the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for the specific evidence used to conclude that Singapore's absence of a dedicated forced-labour import prohibition burdens US commerce; and (b) what legislative, operational and enforcement benchmarks must be satisfied given that the EU was still penalised despite having enacted a forced-labour import prohibition.

Oral Answer (to be attributed to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade), Mr Gan Kim Yong)

1.       The USTR has concluded its Section 301 investigation into imports associated with forced labour. It has imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on all 60 economies covered by the investigation. The tariff level depends on whether an economy has introduced a prohibition on imports produced with forced labour, or has committed to doing so through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the US. 

2.       The USTR has imposed a 12.5% tariff rate on imports from Singapore because we do not have a law prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labour, nor an ART committing us to introduce one. Importantly, none of the 60 economies, including those that already have such prohibitions in force, received a full exemption from the tariff. 

3.       About one-third of Singapore's domestic exports to the US, worth about S$9.5 billion annually, are exposed to this 12.5% tariff. This is about 3% of our total domestic exports globally. In addition to optical instruments and chemical products, the other products in Singapore that are affected by the 12.5% tariff include offshore drilling and production platforms, and precious metals. Overall, the additional 2.5%, compared to the earlier 10% tariff imposed under Section 122, is equivalent to an estimated 0.7 percentage point increase in Singapore's overall effective tariff rate. 

4.       Throughout this investigation, Singapore has engaged the USTR actively at both the political and official levels, including during DPM/Minister (Trade)'s visit to Washington DC last month. We also submitted written comments to the USTR and participated in bilateral government consultations. 

5.       In these engagements, we made clear that there is no evidence that Singapore is involved in the trade of goods associated with forced labour, based on data from the US Department of Labour and Customs and Border Protection. We emphasised that our policies do not burden US commerce, as reflected in the longstanding and substantial trade surplus the US continues to enjoy with Singapore. We also explained that Singapore does not condone forced labour and maintains a comprehensive enforcement framework against such practices. 

6.       Some Members asked what Singapore can do to negotiate a lower tariff with the US. We will continue engaging the USTR constructively. But we also have to consider carefully what steps, if any, Singapore should take in response. 

7.       Singapore is a major trading hub with goods and services trade amounting to around S$2.5 trillion each year, of which S$1.4 trillion is in goods. Any import prohibition would have significant implications. Businesses could face substantial compliance costs arising from supply-chain due diligence, documentation, and investigations, particularly where production takes place outside Singapore and beyond our jurisdiction. Such measures could also affect our broader trade relationship with other partners. As the Singapore Business Federation noted in its 24 July 2026 statement, any new regulatory requirements should be carefully studied in consultation with industry. We will continue these discussions through the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT). 

8.       In addition, we have to consider carefully what would be involved in an ART with the US. Based on the agreements that the US has concluded with other economies, such arrangements may involve commitments beyond an import prohibition, including export controls or restrictions relating to third countries. These wider implications have to be assessed carefully before Singapore decides on any course of action. 

9.       Our immediate priority is to help businesses and workers adjust. We are closely monitoring a range of economic indicators, including sectoral economic performance and labour market metrics, as well as firms' outlook and expectations. We are also actively engaging businesses and the labour movement so that we can detect early signs of difficulties faced by businesses and workers if they arise. So far, the impact of the US' Section 301 tariff on our economy has been muted. 

10.   Nonetheless, the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce has been working closely with our tripartite and industry partners to monitor the impact of the US tariffs and help businesses adapt. In October 2025, we launched the Business Adaptation Grant (BizAdapt) to support eligible enterprises in redesigning their business operations and strengthening supply chain resilience. At this year's Budget, we also announced higher grant support levels for schemes such as the Market Readiness Assistance grant to help firms diversify and grow in overseas markets.