Congratulatory Letters from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to US President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, 8 November 2020

          Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written congratulatory letters to US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has also written a congratulatory letter to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. The texts of the letters are appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

8 NOVEMBER 2020

PM Lee’s letter to President-elect Biden

8 November 2020

Dear President-elect Biden,

          Warmest congratulations on your election as the 46^th President of the United States of America.

          Americans have placed their trust in your vision and leadership.  Likewise, many countries are also looking forward to the global leadership of the United States under your Administration as we work together to overcome the significant challenges facing the world, especially the immediate crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

          With your long history and deep experience as a former US Vice President and US Senator, you are no doubt already familiar with the US’ long-standing, multifaceted and robust partnership with Singapore. Our strong economic ties are underpinned by the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Singapore is the US’ largest trading partner for Southeast Asia, and Singapore was the US’ third largest Asian investor in 2019. We are the US’ only Major Security Cooperation Partner. Our 1990 Memorandum of Understanding has supported the US’ use of Singapore’s military facilities and underscores our support for the US’ presence, which remains vital for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. Beyond the defence and economic spheres, we cooperate in many other new areas, including infrastructure development and cybersecurity, which advance our shared interests.

          Besides Singapore, you have many other friends and allies in the region who welcome the United States’ strong commitment to the Asia-Pacific. Significant strides were made in our relationship during your tenure as Vice President, including the United States’ entry to the East Asia Summit and the appointment of its first Ambassador to ASEAN.

          I warmly recall your visit to Singapore in 2013, which gave you the opportunity to observe first-hand the full breadth of our relationship. When I visited Washington D.C. in August 2016, we had lunch together and I enjoyed our wide-ranging discussion. I look forward to working with you to deepen the partnership between our two countries and enhance the United States’ presence in the Asia-Pacific. You can continue to count on Singapore as a friend and partner. 

          I wish you every success and look forward to meeting you again. 

Yours sincerely,

LEE HSIEN LOONG

The Honorable Joseph R Biden

President-elect

United States of America

PM Lee’s letter to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

8 November 2020

Dear Vice President-elect Harris,

          Please accept my warmest congratulations on your election as the Vice President of the United States of America.

          Americans have placed their trust and confidence in you and in President-elect Joe Biden to lead the United States through these challenging times.

          Singapore and the United States share a robust and enduring friendship that has deepened over the decades. Defence and security ties are underpinned by the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement, and economic relations by the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement – the US’ first bilateral free trade agreement with an Asian country.

          I very much look forward to working with you and President-elect Biden to strengthen and expand our bilateral cooperation, and to welcoming you to Singapore for a first Official Visit at a time of your convenience.

Yours sincerely,

LEE HSIEN LOONG

The Honorable Kamala D Harris

Vice President-elect

United States of America

DPM Heng’s letter to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

8 November 2020

The Honorable Kamala D Harris

Vice President-elect

United States of America

Dear Vice President-elect Harris,

          Please accept my warmest congratulations on your election as the Vice President of the United States of America.

          Your victory was hard-earned and comes at a critical juncture. I am confident that under your leadership, the United States will emerge from COVID-19 stronger, exercising its global leadership role in seeking collective solutions to the pandemic.

          Singapore and the United States share a deep and extensive partnership, with cooperation in the economic, defence and security spheres. Singapore is the United States’ only Major Security Cooperation Partner. Since 1990, we have provided support for the United States’ military presence and defence engagements in the region. We also work closely on transnational security issues, including counterterrorism and cybersecurity. On the economic front, trade and investment ties are anchored by the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Singapore’s investments and trade with the United States continue to grow apace.

          I look forward to meeting you in the near future to discuss how both sides can enhance bilateral cooperation and strengthen the United States’ engagement of the Asia-Pacific.

Yours sincerely,

HENG SWEE KEAT