Top image: Zachary Tang / RICE File Photo
Singapore may be 15,000 KM from the US, but you wouldn’t know it with the amount of US election talk here earlier this week.
It may sound strange that Singaporeans could care so much about another country’s election. Maybe it’s because of the hegemonic status the US has, which inadvertently makes every American issue a global one.
But how relevant are the US’ politics to Singapore, really—and do Singaporeans actually have to care about American elections?
RICE speaks to Singaporeans and Americans in Singapore about how they think the election will affect us here, why they care, and what Trump’s election means for their investment portfolios.
‘Disappointed, But Not Surprised’
“I’m not living there, nor am I a citizen, but I was saddened and worried as I monitored the results Wednesday afternoon. My friends were a mixed bunch. Some were saddened, but one friend said the US gets the president they deserve.
I was thinking of making a trip to NYC at the end of 2025. My friends have said it should be okay—they were there during Trump’s first term, and nothing happened, and I know it’s in a blue state. But if Trump chooses to enact nationwide policies, it doesn’t really matter which state you’re in, right?
What I got from brief discussions with my friends is that my wealthier friends prefer Trump because his policies will make them richer. Haha! I mean, there’s nothing wrong with that. Our priorities are different, too.”
— Alex*, 33
“I was pretty disappointed but not very surprised either. [My friends and I] were lamenting the election results in our Telegram chats. Other acquaintances I follow on social media seem happy that Trump won.
I think Singapore’s leaders have always been quite cautious about navigating bilateral relations with the US. Realistically, we’ve survived one Trump presidency, so we’ll likely be able to do it again. I’ve also heard talk about how Trump’s tariffs could potentially hurt Singapore, but I don’t think I’m qualified enough to comment on that.
In general, Singaporeans are quite nonchalant about the US election simply because it’s so far away. We might have a few comments about how Trump is ‘orange’ or how Kamala is now ‘alamak’. But I don’t think anyone around me is super affected by it.”
— Robin*, 28
“I don’t have any strong emotions about the election itself, but I saw many posts on LinkedIn about it. Suddenly, everyone’s a political commentator…”
—Jerry, 53
How Do We Prepare For the Next Trump Presidency?
“I think Singapore needs to be prepared for Trump. We have to be able to react and respond accordingly on what’s to come from Trump—how he’ll impact any trade wars, the global order, and the future of the World Trade Organisation’s multilateral trading system.”
— Ashley, 31
“Lots of Singaporeans seemed to react negatively to the news, especially on social media. But I wasn’t very surprised by the eventual outcome, especially given Biden’s health around the time that he stepped down as presidential candidate.
As a country with key global trade links and a crucial role as a US ally in Asia, I believe that whoever becomes president holds great significance for Singapore. When America sneezes, the world catches a cold.”
— Pek Hong, 22
“Assuming Trump is successful in everything he promised, I believe that way fewer Singaporeans will choose to go to the US to study, work, and travel due to his policies, which I find to be racist.
But for us, Trum—–and any subsequent American president—will never be our president anyway, quite literally. It’s mainly Americans’ business, not ours, so we should take a chill pill on such topics.”
— Dong Han, 18
Reporting from Ground Zero
“I’m studying and living in NYC, a Democratic stronghold, so feelings have been really negative among the people here. My friends back home have been texting me about the election, too, and my mum messaged me to stay safe.
It’s been incredibly painful to see this happen to a country I used to dream about living in.
I would say Singaporeans are generally taught to understand the world and be aware of Singapore’s potential role in it, so I guess people around us are following it. Trump is a pretty divisive president which draws media attention, including that of Singaporeans, and splits us among not just political but personal moral grounds too, which may mean that Singaporeans are even more invested.”
— Kate*, 22, Singaporean studying in the US
Far From Home
“My friends and I were definitely surprised at how invested and passionate Singaporeans were about the election. I remember seeing posters in the NUS elevators promoting watch parties for the debates and Election Day, which I didn’t expect. It’s also interesting that Singaporeans are invested in economic plans like tax cuts, because I don’t think that it would really affect them.
I’ve spoken to some Singaporeans about the election, and they were mainly concerned about Trump being president and how it would impact both the US and Singapore. When the results were coming through on Election Day, I was sitting at the library and overheard multiple conversations regarding the US election. I didn’t realise that Singaporeans cared so deeply about the results. It makes sense, though, considering how much the US is involved around the world.”
— Hope, 20, American exchange student in Singapore
“Many Singaporean classmates I talked to were shocked and worried for me—some have told me to abandon America altogether and find grad school options overseas. Many were intrigued about my POV, especially since I voted in a swing state.
Going through the election outside the US was stressful. I knew the results minutes after they came out, but I had no one to confide in because my friends [back home] were all asleep. I felt really isolated, and it was hard to focus in class when the rest of my classmates saw it as a normal day.
One of my classmates said: ‘Now that the election is over, you can all go back to revising and writing your papers. It’s embarrassing to see you all comment on another country’s election that doesn’t affect us.’
A few Singaporeans told me that they were happy to see their stocks go up. I was really angry that they were rejoicing over their profits when I have to directly face the consequences of this election.”
— Amy, 22, American exchange student in Singapore
