What an inspiring speech by the Singapore PM on tariffs imposed by the US! One could be smaller in stature but tall and imposing when it comes to honour,dignity and shame. How should a head of a state be at all. Class is character. Elegance is the grace of our soul. How reassuring this great man sounds to his abject population. This tiny independent nation stands to lose a lot because of reciprocal tariffs. But remember, we live in a world where the west condemned India for manufacturing and distributing Covid vaccine for free to third world African and Asian countries, because it impacted the sales pitch of their pharma industries. This is also why India cannot be the next China or America ever in history. We are a nation guided by our Dharmic values NOT CHRISTIAN. You do WHAT IS RIGHT WHATSOEVER.
As for Singapore, they buy even their water from their neighbour Malaysia. They have a sound economy and are a center for academics and medical sciences and technology. A peaceful model nation from who advanced first world countries can learn a lesson. Singapore also faces the immigrants issue. A multi cultural secular society, I would hate to see Singapore suffer.
Larger nations like India have a moral responsibility toward smaller unstable nations who have a heightened sense of insecurity about their very existence because of the limited extent of their geographical territory and overt dependence on foreign trade. Until the very recent Bangladesh turmoil, millions of Bangladeshi muslims received free or very subsidized medical treatment in any corner of India they chose to, a concession not even extended to fellow Indians. This included critical care for heart disease, cancer and even organ transplants and eye treatment. India has supported and keeps supporting Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives – because that is what a big brother does. Magnanimity is what must be the character of an elder brother. Generous is how he must be toward even his wayward younger brothers. You lead head and shoulders over them with your solid character, motivating them, inspiring them. We could be a poor nation ourselves but that never stops India from lending a helping hand to the weaker vulnerable countries.
America does what it is best for them ECONOMICALLY. The price that America pays will be in terms of UNIVERSAL GOODWILL. America also forgets that, as Singapore PM says, things are fluid by nature, which means it won’t take a minute for the Democrats to restore things to how they used to be. When a government flouts or changes laws or challenges judges, they are setting a precedent for future governments to follow in their footsteps.
Falkland Islands get slapped with 42% tariffs by the US. Now this is a very small island country of mere 4000 residents where fishing accounts for 60% of the local income. Marine exports to America constitute their chief source of income. Steep tariffs have been imposed on African nations as well, Lesotho taking the worst hit.
India may suffer a loss of income to the tune of 15$ to 35$ billion which we do have the capacity to bear. India has trade surplus with the US as our exports amount to about 80$ billion. The lowering of tariffs in India can make our own local manufacturing more competitive. My nation is colossal! Mammoth! We are 1.4 billion. We can take any shock or jolt and we can survive and outlive anything and everything! Nothing can unsettle us or rattle us. We are battle hardened, scarred, and very rooted country with ancient history and vibrant local economy. Even so, I admire the negotiating skills of my PM and foreign minister. Do not underestimate them. They are merely playing along, doing their best in the circumstances.
Its not that America is not feeling the pinch either. Their markets have reportedly skimmed a neat 6.5 $trillion already since the tariffs were announced. Mumbai’s Sensex shed around 3000 points the following morning. But India’s loss once again compared to other world nations was less alarming.
Stock markets on April 7, 2025 across the globe 🔴🔻
🇭🇰 Hong Kong: -13.6%
🇹🇼 Taiwan: -9.6%
🇯🇵 Japan: -9.5%
🇮🇹 Italy: -8.4%
🇸🇬 Singapore: -8%
🇸🇪 Sweden: -7%
🇨🇳 China: -7%
🇨🇭 Switzerland: -7%
🇩🇪 Germany: -6.8%
🇪🇸 Spain: -6.4%
🇳🇱 Netherlands: -6.2%
🇦🇺 Australia: -6.2%
🇫🇷 France: -6.1%
🇬🇧 UK: -5.2%
🇲🇾 Malaysia: -4.5%
🇵🇭 Philippines: -4.3%
🇮🇳 India: -4.1%
🇷🇺 Russia: -3.8%
🇸🇦 Saudi: -3.3%
🇹🇷 Turkey: -2.8%
America is pushing consumers around the world to become more discerning and not choosing American imports as it is seen happening already in the European countries and Canada. Finally, is this all worth it. Will America’s gains outweigh their losses in the long run? Time will have the best answer.
vijiravindran's 