Singapore's residents are reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs, saying they are set to hurt Singaporean consumers and the Americans consumers alike.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order introducing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imports, including those from Singapore, with higher rates applied to certain trading partners.
After several days of chaos in the global financial markets, Trump suddenly announced a 90-day pause of the higher tariff rates to most countries on Wednesday, but the 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" stays.
Speaking with China Global Television Network (CGTN), many Singaporeans pointed out that the levies were unreasonable.
"I think the trade war is really stupid. I mean, what's the point of putting over a 100 percent? What are you going to achieve" said a resident.
Some said Trump's move has raised prices for Singaporean consumers and posed challenges to the country's status as a trading hub.
"He has been raising tariffs for all the countries, and Singapore is under the 10 percent bracket. But still, we feel that items we get from the U.S. might become expensive. I believe it's not good for the common people involved," said a resident.
"I think it affects Singapore because Singapore is a trade hub in the region," said another resident, who added that the policy could undermine U.S.-EU relationship.
Others pointed out that Trump's tariffs may backfire, hurting U.S. consumers.
"I understand that the U.S. is doing this to save their economy, but somehow it's actually hurting them. The people suffering most are actually the Americans themselves," said a resident.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged Singaporeans to brace for "shocks", while Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong warned businesses to be prepared for "rough waters" ahead.
Wong cautioned that Singapore is reassessing its economic growth forecast of between one and three percent this year, potentially downgrading it should the global situation deteriorate.
Singaporeans speak about U.S. tariff measures
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
