HF Dialogue: DC Update

The speakers shared their insights and perspectives from their recent visit to Washington as part of DC Doorknock, an annual expedition to the US capital organized by the AmChams of Asia Pacific. The HF Dialogue discussed how the race is shaping up and swiftly evolving between the two presidential candidates, Republican Donald Trump and the presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, and feedback from American policymakers on their view of trade policy agenda and approaches. Key among the discussion points at the HF Dialogue were the implications for US trade relations with Asia, US trade policy direction and priorities, and the prospects for the US to engage or reengage in multilateral trade cooperation. Participants also queried the panel on the impact of US tariff escalations on Asian strategic and trading partners, whether Washington had a clear strategic goal for the increasing US-China competition, the Trump team’s plans on Ukraine, the steel industry in the US, the tech war, among other hot-button issues.

The guests included High Commissioner of Australia to Singapore Allaster Cox; Ambassador of Japan to Singapore Hiroshi Ishikawa; Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore Frank Grütter; Amb. Ted Osius, President of the US-ASEAN Business Council; representatives from the EU Delegation to Singapore, the High Commission of Canada in Singapore, and the British High Commission in Singapore; Victor Mills, Chief Executive of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce; and representatives from business associations and academic communities.

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