Singapore, 24 August 2021 (TDI): Vice President of United States of America, Kamala Harris arrived in Singapore on Sunday 22nd of August. She began her official engagements on Monday 23rd of August to strengthen ties with key allies in the Southeast Asia region.
She was formally welcomed at the presidential residence and met Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. They had a productive conversation and signed agreements on combating cyber threats, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic to enhance the US-Singapore partnership.
During her press conference with Prime Minister Lee, Harris – under US President Joe Biden’s administration – emphasized its commitment to endure engagement in Singapore and reset relationships in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific after the turbulent Trump era. Following the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover, Washington intends to act as a stabilizing force in the face of growing Chinese influence. Before the Afghan crisis, US officials planned their trip in Asia and focused on its broader strategic goals in the region, and the world.
Recently, Harris via Twitter thanked all the sailors, servicemen, and women for their commitment and service every day in their work to protect the country in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Later this week, Harris will visit Vietnam from 24th to 26th August at the invitation of Vietnam’s Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. It is expected that Harris will address economic and security issues, as well as its efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, the United States aims to broaden with Vietnam to counterweight China’s growing influence in the region.
