Opposition calls for inclusive policy dialogue and strategic support for businesses after new American trade levies hit Singapore

In light of the recently imposed US tariffs, Singapore’s Workers’ Party (WP) is calling for national unity and openness to sound policymaking from across the political spectrum, asserting that cooperation and level-headed responses are key to overcoming the challenge.

Posting on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, 8 April, the WP emphasised the need for the country to be “united in diversity” and receptive to “rational and responsible policies from all political quarters”. This, the party stated, would be essential for Singapore to “emerge stronger through the storm”.

The call comes after the US administration introduced a blanket 10 per cent tariff on Singaporean imports, a move that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong condemned in Parliament as inconsistent with friendly international relations. He warned that the new measures could significantly hinder Singapore’s economic progress.

Echoing this concern, the WP highlighted the potential harm to local jobs and businesses, noting that Singapore’s open economy, reliant on global trade links, is particularly vulnerable to such external shocks.

Despite the threat, the WP suggested that the tariff—though damaging—could present limited opportunities. It noted that Singapore’s 10 per cent tariff is lower than those applied to South Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan. This disparity, the party said, might offer Singaporean exporters of electronics, telecommunications gear, and semiconductors a short-term competitive edge in the US market.

The WP encouraged the government’s economic agencies to actively support businesses in adapting to these shifting dynamics, while maintaining a measured and pragmatic policy stance.

The party also reiterated its commitment to proposing alternatives that would bolster social safety nets and provide greater support for workers. Past proposals by WP Members of Parliament have included redundancy insurance, mandated retrenchment benefits, and a universal minimum wage targeting low-income earners.

Concluding its message, the WP stressed that collective resilience, informed policymaking, and inclusive dialogue would be critical as Singapore navigates the uncertainties brought about by the global economic changes.