SINGAPORE - US President Donald Trump ’s nominee for a mbassador to Singapore , Dr Anjani Sinha , had a testy exchange with Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth during a two-hour Senate confirmation hearing on July 9.

Ms Duckworth, who was born in Thailand and served as a helicopter pilot during the Iraq war,

fired off questions about Singapore and made pointed comments at Dr Sinha

during an exchange that lasted almost seven minutes.

Here are some key moments during the hearing.

‘I have my doubts’

Ms Duckworth started by highlighting the importance of the US’ relationship with Singapore, and that she was not opposed to political appointees to the ambassador role.

Duckworth: This is not a role you can just pick up on a whim or because you think it will be glamorous or because Singapore is a great place to live... frankly I don’t think you are particularly qualified for this role, and I’m concerned about how your lack of understanding may even inadvertently cause friction in our critical relationship.

Will you even be able to effectively lead our mission in Singapore? I have my doubts.

On trade surplus

Stating her need to understand Dr Sinha’s knowledge about some “basic facts” of Singapore and its relationship with the US, Ms Duckworth then questioned him about the trade relationship between the two countries.

Duckworth: In 2024, did the United States have a trade deficit with Singapore? Yes or no?

Sinha: No.

Duckworth: It did not. How large was the US’s trade surplus with Singapore in 2024?

Sinha: US$80 billion... US$18 billion.

Duckworth: 2.8 (billion). You’re off by a huge factor.

On tariffs

There was then a lengthy back-and-forth between Ms Duckworth and Dr Sinha on whether he supports Mr Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Singapore. Here is a snippet of that conversation.

Duckworth: Do you agree with that 10 per cent increase with Singapore? It seems they don’t have a surplus with us.

Sinha: Well, I...

Duckworth: Yes or no? Do you support the president’s plan to put a 10 per cent tariff on Singapore goods produced in Singapore?

Sinha: I believe in the president’s decision of a free trade with any nations in the world, and he’s resetting the trade numbers with each country, and he’s open for discussion and dialogue with each country.

Duckworth: So you would like to have free trade with Singapore? That’s what you would push for as ambassador?

Sinha: Well, we always had free trade with the Singapore since 2004.

Duckworth: So do you support the 10 per cent tariff increase?

Sinha: The dialogue is not yet closed, the door is not closed...

Duckworth: Okay, let’s go on to the next thing.

Asean chairmanship

She then asked Dr Sinha when Singapore will take over the rotating chairmanship of the regional Asean grouping, to which he said he did not know. What followed was an exchange about the role entails.

Duckworth: Please describe what holding the Asean chair will entail for Singapore and how you would support Singapore in your role as US ambassador if confirmed? What are some of the critical things that Singapore will have to do as a chair of Asean?

Sinha: I agree with you that you have made a statement that all the Asean members should be treated like, almost...

Duckworth: Answer my question. What does holding the Asean chairmanship entail for Singapore? Can you name one thing? A role that they will have to play as Asean chair?

Sinha: Well, there you know that... this Asean chair is not only one country, there are 10 countries in...

Duckworth: No, the Asean chair is one country.

Sinha: But there are 10 countries involved as an Asean group.

Duckworth: You’re not answering my question, sir.

‘You’ve not even done your homework’

When asked if he could share how the US Navy works with Singapore, Dr Sinha answered broadly that the armed forces of both countries regularly conduct exercises together, and that the Republic’s troops train in the US as well.

Duckworth: Can you name a specific thing? Please, I’m trying to help you here, but you’ve not even done your homework, sir.

You want to be ambassador to Singapore, one of the most important alliances, friends we have in the Indo-Pacific, a key place that we’re going to be fighting against our greatest adversary in the region, the PRC (People’s Republic of China).

Singapore may feature incredible culture, but that should not be treated as a glamour posting. This nation is too important to the United States, to Asean, to the entire region.

Shape up

Ms Duckworth then said she had “larger concerns” about the “unqualified” Dr Sinha.

Duckworth: I just feel that you are not taking this seriously, and you think this is a glamour posting, that you’re going to live a nice life in Singapore. What we need is someone who’s going to actually do the work... I want to reinforce again for you right now: You are not currently prepared for this posting, period. And you need to shape up and do some homework.

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