NDR 2026: Singapore will not be a conduit for illegal trade practices, says PM Wong

Singapore takes concerns about goods being routed through other countries to circumvent tariffs seriously and will investigate and take action if there's credible evidence of wrongdoing, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 23). However, Singapore is also a major centre for re-exports and transshipment, and cannot possibly trace and verify the entire supply chain behind every product that passes through its shores, he said. Mr Wong was responding to concerns raised by the US about Chinese goods being routed through Southeast Asia. He also noted that as the world becomes more contested, more unstable and more dangerous, Singapore’s response cannot be to retreat and turn inward. Read more: https://cna.asia/3SlfvH9 Get all the highlights of #NDR2026: https://cna.asia/4zxLKDH 00:00 Trade and tariffs increasingly shaped by security 01:24 Singapore will act against illegal trade practices 02:27 Trade is no longer about economics alone 02:47 Growing risk of conflict and “grey zone” tactics 05:11 Why Singapore must remain open and connected 06:28 Strengthening ASEAN and Singapore’s global partnerships Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Visit our website: https://cna.asia Download our app: https://cna.asia/app Get our editors' picks of stories via chat apps: Telegram: https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp: https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us on these platforms: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia