U.S.-Singapore Ties: Solid Base for an Uncertain Future

The United States' relationship with Singapore has been and continues to be one of its most important and successful in the Asia-Pacific. Despite its small size, Singapore has transformed itself into a major player in Southeast Asia and the broader global economy, and has been a consistent supporter of a strong U.S. presence in Asia. Today, the city-state is America's 13th-largest trading partner, hosts U.S. naval ships in its waters, serves as a model for Washington on issues such as education and offers valuable strategic advice to the United States on a variety of policy questions.

These past few weeks have seen a further broadening and deepening of the strategic partnership between the United States and Singapore. The two countries inked a raft of important agreements that laid out a joint vision for a new political framework, institutionalized a strategic dialogue at the senior level and further enhanced collaboration in areas such as education and joint technical assistance to developing countries. The flurry of diplomatic activity was punctuated by an all-day conference in early February devoted to U.S.-Singapore relations organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington. ...