TPP deal would be strong signal of US commitment to Asia: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — Meeting with United States Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasised that the successful conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal would be a strong signal of the US’ commitment to engage Asia.

The strategic importance of the TPP in anchoring the US’ presence in Asia was also underscored by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, at a separate breakfast meeting with Mr Kerry. Mr Kerry and Mr Shanmugan also discussed key regional and global developments, as well as ways to enhance America’s engagement with Asia, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in statement.

Mr Kerry, who was making his first official visit to Singapore, and Mr Shanmugan also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) yesterday renewing the Singapore-US Third Country Training Programme. It provides technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries, and particularly those in the region. The renewed MOU will see the US and Singapore extending cooperation on promoting regional integration, tackling cyber and other emerging security threats, and managing climate change.