Hinrich Trade Negotiation Simulation first launch in Singapore
Published 31 October 2022
Posing as Senior Trade Negotiators, the participants from Singaporean universities represented six major Asia-Pacific economies to negotiate favorable terms and protect their national interests amid rising regional disagreements.
Launching for the first time in Singapore at the Hinrich Foundation headquarter, the Hinrich Trade Negotiation Simulation welcomed 28 graduate students from five Singaporean higher education institutions: NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NTU Nanyang Business School, NTU Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Singapore Management University and INSEAD.
They posed as senior government officials, representing six major economies in the Asia-Pacific region, to negotiate favorable terms for and protect the interests of their states. The working agenda included health care services, digital economy, agricultural subsidies and non-tariff measures on food products.
Tensions were rising as the delegates raced towards reaching a consensus with a looming timeline. After two days of intense intercession and endless rounds of caucuses, the six teams all voted to adopt the final multilateral communiqué, successfully concluding the simulation on Sunday, 30 October 2022.
The event was positively received by all students, who praised the simulation for equipping them with different negotiation skills and strategies as well as providing real-life insights into how policies and resolutions were formulated in a global arena.
Theodore Ho, MBA student from INSEAD, shared that: "It was very interesting and gave all of us a great taste of how hard it is to get any deal done at any international level."
The Trade Negotiation Simulation from the Hinrich Foundation has been a fantastic opportunity to get first-hand experience in trade, understanding of trade dynamics, and the skillsets needed in trade that we do not get from the classroom.Yuxin Hou - Master of International Affairs student, NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
The Hinrich Trade Negotiation Simulation is an experiential learning initiative of the Hinrich Foundation. It offers university students the chance to learn from seasoned trade negotiators and subject-matter experts about the workings and dynamics of trade and international relations. In partnership with various civic organizations and universities, the simulations have been organized in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Manila, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The next simulation will be organized in Singapore in early May 2023.
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