PM Wong warns US-China rivalry could push world to ‘brink of third world war’

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made the news across the globe last month, shortly after the inauguration of United States President Donald Trump, when he warned against the polarization likely if the world is forced to choose between China and the US.

On Jan 21, he told students at the National University of Singapore’s University Cultural Centre that a complete decoupling of the two superpowers would bring the world to “the brink of a third world war”, but he said it was unlikely.

News sites such as Fortune, Bloomberg, and Newsweek covered the Prime Minister’s remarks.

However, he said he could not envision the US cutting itself off from China, given that much of what the US manufactures, produces, and imports for Americans comes from China.

“A full decoupling” would, therefore, damage the US economy.

He added that neither side should force countries, including Singapore, to choose sides and separate the world into two blocs — US and Chinese.

The Straits Times reported PM Wong as saying that other countries “can do our part to minimize the risk of an outright decoupling or conflict from happening”.

This would help manage the competition between the US and China and maintain peace, allowing everyone to thrive in a “reasonably good environment”.

However, the trade war between the two superpowers has escalated since the PM’s remarks. The US imposed 10% levies on all Chinese products, and this was followed by President Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the US.

Meanwhile, China’s most recent tariffs include a 15% border tax on US coal and liquefied natural gas products and a 10% tariff on American crude oil, farming machinery, and large-engine vehicles.

Nevertheless, diplomatic engagement appears to continue. On Monday (Feb 10), President Trump said he’s been speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the phone.

“I happen to like him a lot, President Xi… I love talking to him. I’ve talked to him and I talk to his people too. His people come in all the time,” he said in a TV interview. /TISG

Read also: Lawrence Wong: Bold but cautious?