Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong at the Singapore Treasury on the margins of the International Institute for Strategic Studies' 20th Asia Security Summit. This was Secretary Austin's first meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Wong.
During their discussion, Secretary Austin and Deputy Prime Minister Wong reaffirmed the robust and long-standing bilateral defense partnership between the United States and Singapore, grounded in their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders exchanged views on the regional security environment and underscored the need for open lines of communication to ensure continued stability. Secretary Austin thanked Deputy Prime Minister Wong for the vital role that Singapore provides as an anchor for the U.S. security presence in the region.
Both sides underscored the critical role that U.S.-Singapore defense cooperation plays in sustaining regional security and stability. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to standing as partners in bringing greater security, prosperity, and stability to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
