Fmr US Ambassador Jonathan Kaplan

Today I read that Trump has prepared a draft executive order that drastically cuts down the size of the State Department. It proposes to cut down the many programs and initiatives it currently runs in many places and even the number of embassies around the world. It clearly looks like the US engagement with the world will be greatly reduced. With the reduction in engagement, its influence in the world and our region will certainly diminish.

For some time now, I could already sense many Singaporeans becoming anti US because of its position on China. This will when the US was targeting China and restricting high tech and chip exports to China. That was during a period when the US was actively engaging the world. Now with the negative reactions worldwide to the tariffs and to the punitive tariffs proposed against China and to the proposed diminished US engagement worldwide it cannot imagine what is going to happen.

I remember meeting the former US Ambassador Jonathan Kaplan and telling him on many occasions that the US should engage more with our young people to at least to explain to them their position on several issues and hear people out. Even then I could sense a lack of interest or drive in doing this. I myself cannot recall any occasion where they did any such sessions. Any engagement by them was only at the government level and its own US citizens.

I liked the Ambassador. Friendly and engaging with a smile always. But once Trump won the election, he resigned immediately. The post of ambassador is still vacant.

At the end of the next 4 years, I cannot imagine how the world and Singaporeans will view US. It is a bit frightening. We grew up with such a US centric view of the world. We watched their movies and tv shows growing up. Many have visited the US and studied there. We read and follow their media. We have seen them as the good guys in the world, going out and taking action against any negative forces out there. I thought that they will be a shield to any bullying or attack against Singapore.

That will all change. To what extent, I don’t know…