S Jaishankar Vs Singapore Leader On The Role Of U.S. In Asia And The Future Of Global Trade

At the Kautilya Economic Conclave, two contrasting perspectives on Asia’s economic future came into focus. Former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo Yong-Boon has advocated stronger economic integration and closer ties among Asian economies, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underlined why the United States remains too important an economic and strategic power to ignore. Jaishankar cautioned against holding Washington responsible for all the problems facing global trade, arguing that non-market practices and other distortions have also contributed to strains in the trading system. He also said a trade agreement with the US could provide a significant boost to the Indian economy by opening greater access to a major global market. So, should Asian economies increasingly look within the region, or continue balancing deeper Asian integration with strong US ties? Watch this face-off of ideas on trade, economic power and the changing global order.