Singapore foreign minister: Strait of Hormuz chaos a ‘dry run’ for if U.S.-China conflict emerges Singapore’s top diplomat warned Wednesday that current tensions in the Strait of Hormuz serve as a “dry run” for a potential conflict between the United States and China in the Pacific, emphasizing that the real strategic focus lies closer to Asia. Speaking at CNBC’s CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that what is unfolding in the Strait of Hormuz could preview a larger confrontation between Washington and Beijing, with the Pacific as the primary theater of any such clash. “The biggest variable is not just what happens in the Middle East, but what happens in the Pacific,” Balakrishnan said. “The revolution in AI, the revolution in biotechnology and the revolution in renewable energy, on all those counts, I would submit to you, the real action is in the Pacific.” Balakrishnan reiterated Singapore’s longstanding position of refusing to align exclusively with either the U.S. Or China, despite deep economic ties with both nations. He noted that the United States remains Singapore’s largest foreign investor, with approximately 6,000 American companies operating in the city-state, while China is its largest trading partner. “We will refuse to choose… we are acting in our own long-term national interest… we will be useful, but not be made use of,” he said. The foreign minister also highlighted a shared strategic interest among Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia in keeping the Strait of Malacca open, even amid discussions about potential tolls on the vital Southeast Asian waterway. He stressed that all three nations are committed to maintaining freedom of navigation under international law. Balakrishnan’s remarks come amid heightened global attention on maritime chokepoints, particularly following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. He warned that energy market fluctuations in the Middle East should not distract from the broader geopolitical competition unfolding in the Indo-Pacific region. The diplomat emphasized that Singapore’s foreign policy is guided by a consistent assessment of its long-term national interests, and that the city-state will not hesitate to decline requests from either superpower if they conflict with those priorities. “We are acting in our own long term national interest. We will be useful, but we will not be made use of,” he added.
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