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
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
