All eyes are on the United States as November 2024 approaches, when American voters will head to the polls to elect the next President. With the US’ involvement in several geopolitical hotspots across the world, rising economic protectionism, and heightened concerns about inflation, economic competitiveness, and the health of the middle class domestically, the election will be pivotal for not only the future of the country but the shape of the world trading system and international relations.
It is anticipated that the Republican candidate Donald Trump will reinforce traditional forms of trade protectionism and insist on a more circumscribed role for the US in international disputes where no direct benefit to its core interests is likely to accrue. The reinvigorated Democratic campaign around Kamala Harris is likely to promote trade with conditions for standards on labour, the environment and fairness in the distribution of its benefits as well as a more costly multilateral approach to diplomacy to uphold liberal values. From the Southeast Asian perspective, the latter seems to promise a better informed and engaged orientation to the region as Ms Harris has appointed US Ambassador to ASEAN Yohannes Abraham to head of her presidential transition planning team if she wins.
What are the different scenarios we should anticipate in US policies towards Singapore and the region after the election? Closer to home, how can the government and businesses seize the opportunities presented while planning for possible road bumps ahead?
Join Mr Steven Okun (Founder and CEO, APAC Advisors) in a session hosted by Prof Danny Quah (Dean and Li Ka Shing Professor in Economics, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy) as they discuss the implications of the US presidential election.