{
  "id": 2816366,
  "title": "Singapore will investigate any tariff evasion, but must be realistic given volume of trade, PM says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/singapore-will-investigate-any-tariff-evasion-but-must-be-realistic",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-23T15:25:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40436193/singapore-will-investigate-any-tariff-evasion-but-must-be-realistic-given-volume-of-trade-pm-says"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Sunday that his government will investigate any attempts by companies to use Singapore as a conduit for illegal trade practices, such as routing goods through the city-state to circumvent tariffs and import goods made with forced labor. Wong made the statement following the U.S. White House's claim that the U.S. is losing annual tariff revenue of around $19 billion to $26 billion to such transshipment activities, primarily involving goods from China.\n\nWong emphasized that Singapore will not allow its ports to be used for such illicit activities, stating, \"We will not allow Singapore to be used as a conduit for illegal trade practices.\" He also noted that the U.S. has imposed a 12.5% tariff on Singapore exports due to the lack of a law prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor. Wong reiterated that Singapore takes both issues - illegal trade and forced labor - seriously and will investigate any evidence of wrongdoing.\n\nHowever, Wong acknowledged the reality of Singapore's position as a major hub for re-exports and transshipment, stating that the government cannot be expected to trace and verify the entire supply chain behind every product that passes through the country. He added that Singapore will continue engaging with the U.S. to explain its position on these matters.\n\nWong highlighted that trade is no longer as free as it once was and is increasingly influenced by security considerations. He noted that while competition is intensifying, the world is not dominated solely by America and China. He also mentioned that Europe remains a major force, and India is rapidly rising, with many middle powers asserting their interests more actively. Wong delivered these remarks during his annual National Day Rally, which serves as his most important political speech of the year and outlines key policy announcements.",
  "summary": "SINGAPORE: Singapore will investigate any efforts by companies to route goods through the city-state to circumvent tariffs and import goods made with forced labour, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Sunday. The White House said last week that the U.S. is losing annual tariff revenue of about $19 billion to $26 billion on goods, largely from China, that are transshipped through third…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Singapore",
        "title": "NDR 2026: Not realistic to trace every shipment through Singapore to satisfy US tariff demands, says PM Wong",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/ndr-2026-not-realistic-to-trace-every-shipment-through-singapore-to",
        "published": "2026-08-23T12:12:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}