1. At the invitation of the President of the
United States of America Barack Obama, Prime Minister of the Republic of
Singapore Lee Hsien Loong made an official visit to the United States to
celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations and to enhance the bilateral
strategic partnership. For half a
century, the two countries have built a strong relationship anchored by robust
economic cooperation, security and defense cooperation, and enduring
people-to-people ties. Beyond bilateral
cooperation, the two countries have worked as close partners to build a
rules-based economic and security order for the Asia-Pacific and to address
challenges on the global stage, including economic prosperity, climate change,
terrorism, transnational crime, and the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. On the occasion of the
visit and the August 2, 2016 meeting between the two leaders, the United States
and Singapore adopted this Joint Statement, affirming a continued commitment to
advancing their strategic partnership in the areas below.
Supporting Robust Economic Cooperation and
Commercial Connectivity and Driving Innovation
2. The U.S.-Singapore economic and
commercial relationship provides a model to the world for how open markets and
fair trade practices increase prosperity and drive innovation. Our shared economic priorities embrace trade
liberalization, market reform, trade security, capacity building, innovation,
entrepreneurship, climate change mitigation, clean energy, intellectual
property protection, fair labor practices, and cyber security. Today, over 3,700 U.S. companies are located
in Singapore, making Singapore a premier destination for U.S. businesses. A
growing number of Singapore companies have also established a presence in the
United States.
3. The two sides noted that the
U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, the first such U.S. agreement in Asia and
now in its 12th year, is a gold-standard agreement that has shaped other
bilateral and multilateral FTAs in the region.
The largest of these, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), reflects the
commercial dimension of the U.S. rebalance to Asia and Singapore’s commitment
to high trade standards. Both countries
emphasized the strategic and economic importance of all participating countries
to ratify the TPP agreement expeditiously, and both committed to strengthen
trade capacity building among TPP members.
4. The two leaders affirmed efforts to
support expanding economic ties through closer cooperation on bilateral tax
issues, and noted ongoing discussions between the two sides on a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA),
which will permit our two countries to exchange relevant tax information to
enforce our respective tax laws, and an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that
provides for reciprocal automatic exchange of information with respect to
certain financial accounts under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA). Both sides are committed to
complete negotiations and sign the TIEA and the reciprocal FATCA IGA as soon as
possible with the aim of doing so by the end of 2017. The leaders noted the two
countries would maintain discussions on whether to negotiate an Avoidance of
Double Taxation Agreement in the future, taking into account double taxation
with respect to both U.S. investments in Singapore and Singaporean investments
in the United States and our mutual interest in avoiding base erosion and
profit shifting by multinationals.
5. The two leaders forged new cooperation on
Smart City development and digital innovation.
This includes (a) identifying opportunities for research collaboration
between the National Science Foundation and the Singaporean National Research
Foundation, (b) sharing of best practices and information exchange between both
Governments on topics such as smart city policies, digital government, urban
innovation and digital citizen engagement, through, among other things, the
Digital Government Exchange forum to be held in Singapore and the Discover
Global Markets: Building Smart Cities forum to be held in Chicago, and
exchanges between the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and
the Smart Nation Program Office in the Prime Minister’s Office; and (c)
facilitating exchanges for start-ups, as reflected in the MoU between the city
of Austin and Singapore.
6. The two nations look forward to deepening
their economic cooperation including under the U.S.-ASEAN Connect (“Connect”)
initiative, announced in February 2016 by President Obama during the U.S.-ASEAN
Leaders Summit at Sunnylands. As the
strategic framework for U.S. economic engagement with ASEAN, Connect will build
upon U.S. government economic initiatives within ASEAN to support regional
integration efforts and cooperation with the private sector. Singapore offered
support for a new Connect program focused on the digital economy, which could
include innovation policy workshops under the Third Country Training
Program. The two leaders confirmed
collaboration on the third US-ASEAN Connect event to be held in Singapore in
2016, which will focus on themes such as digital economy and financial
technology (FinTech). The inaugural Singapore FinTech Festival will be
supported by the Connect Center in Singapore and the United States Department
of Commerce. The two leaders welcomed
the signing of an MOU between the US Department of Commerce and Singapore's
Ministry of Trade and Industry to promote collaboration in the infrastructure
sector between US and Singapore companies in Southeast Asia and third-party
markets.
Enhancing Security and Defense Cooperation
7. The two leaders reaffirmed the strong
bilateral defense partnership, underpinned by the 1990 Memorandum of
Understanding and 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement, and most recently
elevated by the 2015 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Singapore trains or stations approximately
1000 personnel each year in the United States.
The United States deploys aircraft and ships to Singapore on a
rotational basis to conduct a variety of regional maritime patrol activities
covering counterpiracy, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster
response. President Obama welcomed Singapore’s continued interest in the F-35
aircraft. The two leaders expressed
support to explore new training opportunities for the Singapore Armed Forces in
Guam, with an eye toward a potential long-term training detachment for the
Republic of Singapore Air Force.
8. The United States and Singapore are
committed to broadening and deepening our cooperation to promote an open,
interoperable, reliable, and secure global Internet that supports innovation,
economic growth and social development.
We are committed to ensuring that the digital economy remains a force
for robust economic growth and prosperity.
Both sides expressed strong support for the new U.S.-Singapore MOU on
Cooperation in the Area of Cybersecurity, which lays a foundation for expanding
our cooperation on cyber issues. The
United States and Singapore affirmed their support for the multi-stakeholder
approach to Internet governance. We
reaffirm, moreover, that the same rights that people have offline must also be
protected online. Both sides pledged to deepen their information exchange and
sharing, to conduct new bilateral initiatives on critical infrastructure
cybersecurity, and to continue to cooperate on cybercrime, cyber defense, and
on regional capacity building activities, including through joint exercises,
regular exchanges and visits, joint R&D and capability development,
regional cyber capacity building programs or initiatives.
9. The two leaders endorsed a common
approach to international cyber stability, affirming that international law
applies to State conduct in cyberspace, and committing to promote voluntary
norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace. The United States and Singapore affirm that
no country should conduct or knowingly support online activity that
intentionally damages critical infrastructure or otherwise impairs the use of
critical infrastructure to provide services to the public; that no country
should conduct or knowingly support activity intended to prevent national
computer security incident response teams (CSIRTs) from responding to cyber
incidents, or use CSIRTs to enable online activity that is intended to do harm;
that every country should cooperate, consistent with its domestic law and
international obligations, with requests for assistance from other states in
mitigating malicious cyber activity emanating from its territory; and that no
country should conduct or knowingly support cyber-enabled theft of intellectual
property, including trade secrets or other confidential business information,
with the intent of providing competitive advantages to its companies or
commercial sectors.
10. First discussed by both Leaders when they met
in 2013, both leaders welcomed a new joint statement to extend the Law
Enforcement and Homeland Security, and Safety Cooperation Dialogue for another
3 years, which reinforces the strong cooperation in law enforcement matters,
including counter-terrorism and anti-corruption, between the two
countries. The two leaders also welcomed
the MOU, which will be signed in September, between Singapore’s Home Team
Academy (HTA) and the U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) to
collaborate and share expertise and best practices in law enforcement training,
leadership development, and capacity building.
Both countries sought to increase bilateral and regional cooperation to
combat internet and computer crime.
11. The United States has partnered with
Singapore on a number of issues related to transportation security. Both sides
welcomed the 2016 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
Transportation Security Administration and Ministry of Transport on capability
development in the Asia-Pacific Region through joint training and capacity
building to enhance the level of aviation security standards. The first joint
training outreach event will take place in Singapore in 2017 where Asia-Pacific
States will be invited to participate.
Addressing Regional and Global Challenges
12. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to
ASEAN Centrality and to strengthening the regional architecture in the
Asia-Pacific, including existing ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia
Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to better address common
transnational challenges such as maritime security, climate change and
trafficking-in-persons. The two leaders
highlighted the importance of the U.S.-ASEAN strategic partnership, and the
principles underpinning this relationship as outlined in the Sunnylands
Declaration, for the peace, prosperity, and security of the Asia-Pacific.
13. The two leaders highlighted the success of
the U.S.-Singapore Third Country Training Program (TCTP), which has received
more than 700 officials from across ASEAN since its establishment in 2012. They
expressed support for its continued growth, including in the areas of trade
policy, environment protection, and addressing
non-traditional security threats.
14. The two leaders resolved to enforce UN Security
Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2270, adopted in response to the DPRK’s January
nuclear test, which imposes unprecedented sanctions on the DPRK. The United States welcomed and offered full
support for Singapore’s commitment to prevent the proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction, including the full and effective implementation of UNSCR
2270. Both leaders welcomed the
commitment to expand bilateral cooperation to ensure the enforcement of this
resolution, including on cargo inspections, shipping, and finance. The United
States welcomed and offered full support of Singapore's commitment to
strengthen advanced cargo screening procedures, which is essential to securing
the global supply chain, including through Singapore’s decision to conduct a
three-year trial of the World Customs Organization’s Cargo Targeting System.
Such measures play an essential role in securing global commerce, not only
against proliferation from all sources, but against terrorism and other
criminal activity.
15. The two leaders acknowledged the continued
global threat posed by terrorism and the need to enhance information sharing on
counterterrorism related issues. The two countries have also co-invested $30
million to date under the 2006 Combating Terrorism Research and Development
agreement to improve capabilities to combat terrorism. Both leaders welcomed the extension of the
agreement for another 10 years for investments up to $100 million. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment
as Counter-ISIL coalition members to degrade and defeat ISIL. President Obama welcomed Singapore’s
commitment to continue existing contributions to coalition efforts, including
the deployment of refueling tanker aircraft and an Imagery Analysis Team, as well
as Singapore’s new commitment to deploy medical support to Iraq.
16. The leaders reaffirmed the importance of
maintaining regional peace and stability and upholding freedom of navigation in
and overflight above the South China Sea.
They emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully,
including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to
the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including as
reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They urged all parties to avoid actions that
would escalate tensions, including the further militarization of outposts in
the South China Sea. They reaffirmed
their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on
the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the expeditious conclusion of
a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
17. Both countries affirmed the importance of
addressing climate change and transitioning towards a low greenhouse gas
emissions and climate-resilient development pathway, and committed to pursue a
range of initiatives to advance these goals. They resolved to work together to
implement the historic Paris Agreement.
The United States reaffirms its commitment to join the Agreement this
year, and Singapore commits to taking the domestic steps necessary to join as
soon as possible, with a view to joining in 2016. They also called on all nations to support
the Agreement’s early entry into force in 2016.
Both nations affirmed the importance of supporting the development and
implementation of the transparency framework established under the Paris
Agreement, with common modalities, procedures and guidelines. Both nations look
forward to the early operationalization of the Capacity-building Initiative for
Transparency. They resolve to explore
opportunities to collaborate on institutional and technical capacity-building
activities to help other Parties meet the requirements of the transparency
framework. Both countries affirmed their
commitment to work to adopt an ambitious and comprehensive hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs) phase-down amendment in 2016 within the Montreal Protocol pursuant to
the Dubai Pathway. They supported the adoption of a global market-based measure
(MBM) at the upcoming Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization
for implementation from 2020, as part of a collective effort to address climate
change through a comprehensive basket of measures. The leaders emphasized the
importance of a global MBM in supporting the aviation industry's desire to grow
sustainably and prevent a patchwork of national or regional MBM schemes given
the cross-border nature of international flights.
18. The two leaders commended the adoption of the
fifth Plan of Action in August 2015 under the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement’s
environmental cooperation Memorandum of Intent (MOI). To protect our shared environment, the United
States and Singapore commit to strengthen cooperation to conserve biodiversity
and ecosystems by combating the illegal trade in CITES species, improving the
capacity of institutions, and strengthening policies to ensure effective
implementation and enforcement of environmental laws. Singapore also stated its intention to
positively consider implementing a ban on the domestic trade in ivory. Both countries also look forward to deepening
the exchange of information on environmental policies, best practices and the
use of innovative environmental technology and pollution management techniques,
and to work closely together and with other WTO Members to conclude an
ambitious Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) that eliminates tariffs on a wide
range of environmental goods by the end of the year. We also resolve to cooperate to conserve our
oceans and to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing,
including by implementing port State measures in recognition of the importance
of concerted international action to address IUU fishing as reflected in
regional and international instruments, including the Port State Measures
Agreement.
19. The United States and Singapore affirmed
their commitment to advance the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) to assist
other countries to implement the International Health Regulations (IHR) and
prevent, detect, and respond to biological threats, whether naturally
occurring, deliberate or accidental. In
2016, the United States underwent a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of its
national capabilities to achieve the GHSA and other IHR-related targets and
will publish the results. In 2017,
Singapore will initiate a JEE. The
United States has made a commitment to assist at least 31 countries to achieve
the GHSA targets, and Singapore will join two GHSA Action Packages to share
best practices to assist others.
Singapore will also provide experts, where available, to support the
assessments of other countries, including within ASEAN.
Strengthening People-to-People Ties
20. Both the United States and Singapore affirmed
their commitment to further strengthen the already deep bonds of friendship,
cooperation, and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. The United States welcomed the launch of an
exchange scholarship program to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations and
deepen people-to-people ties. The
scholarship will fund summer exchange programs for 50 Singaporean and 50 U.S.
students over the course of the next 5 years.
In support of the U.S. Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative
(YSEALI), which has grown into a network of more than 80,000 youth across the
region, the U.S. will convene an Urban Planning Workshop in 2017 in
Singapore. Both sides recognized the
success of the YSEALI program and the contributions made by its Singaporean
participants in promoting innovation, inspiring cross-ASEAN connectivity, and
advancing bilateral ties.
21. The United States was pleased to open Global
Entry eligibility to include citizens of Singapore from June 2016. Singapore in turn allowed Americans to apply
for its enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS) under the
Trusted Traveller Program (TTP).
Following the Joint Statement issued by the United States and Singapore
on Dec. 1 2014, both countries had worked together to officially launch the TTP
on June 27, 2016. The TTP reaffirmed the strong trust and ties that the United
States and Singapore enjoy given that Singapore is the 1st ASEAN country to be
in the program. These trusted traveler programs will make travel between our
two nations more convenient and secure for travelers.
Enhancing our Enduring Partnership
22. Through a half-century of diplomatic
relations, the United States and Singapore have forged an expansive and
enduring relationship by cooperating on issues of mutual interest and shared
principles. Both leaders committed to
further enhance the U.S.-Singapore strategic partnership, making it deeper,
more substantive, and more effective to better support peace, stability, and cooperation
across the region and around the world.
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