Commentary: Incoming US ambassador to Singapore confirmed at key time in US re-engagement with Asia-Pacific

There is potential for Kaplan to head a US embassy which can be a linchpin in the US effort to formulate and effectuate an entire Indo-Pacific strategy.

A political ambassador with a business, technology, and finance background, combined with a senior foreign service officer experienced in Singapore as his deputy, provides the Singapore US embassy leadership with a set of capabilities necessary to be a key player in developing an Indo-Pacific framework.

At his US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations confirmation hearing in October, Kaplan testified his priorities were strengthening the US-Singapore bilateral trade relationship, deepening the security partnership to combat cybercrime and terrorism, and bolstering educational and exchange programmes.

He also highlighted the importance of digital trade and promised to position the US “front and centre” on trade discussions. Being a non-traditional diplomat and private sector stalwart within an embassy of diplomats will be an asset in achieving that goal.

While the subject of the press freedoms in Singapore were not included in his opening remarks, several senators chose to ask Kaplan about it in the question-and-answer session, including whether he will make his office available for those who need a voice regarding freedom of the media.

“(F)riends are able to talk about difficult topics. They may not want to change — we’re going to want them to change — but we’re going to have a dialogue,” he said in response.

While areas in which the US and Singapore are not aligned will be on the US agenda, we should expect areas of immense mutual geostrategic interests to continue as the focus of US-Singapore relations.