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Singapore Wants U.S. to Focus on Trade Rather Than China Rivalry

  • Foreign minister says ‘lets see’ on U.S.’s Asia economic plan
  • U.S. has never faced a competitor as China, minister says
Containers at the Port of Singapore.

Containers at the Port of Singapore.

Photographer: Wei Leng Tay/Bloomberg

Singapore has urged the Biden administration to focus on trade as the U.S. formulates its long-awaited Asia strategy to counter what it sees as the growing economic and military threat from China.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said the distrust between the Washington and Beijing has intensified over the past few years to the point that the policies of President Joe Biden toward China “basically remain unchanged” from his predecessor and sanctions have become even tougher.