WASHINGTON – Singapore agencies are in discussions with the Trump administration over the 10 per cent tariff imposed by the United States on its oldest free trade partner in Asia.

“We are currently engaging our US counterparts to further clarify the full scope and application of its tariffs,” Enterprise Singapore said in an April 14 update to its “Frequently Asked Questions” listed under a webpage on the 2004 US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA).

The 10 per cent tariff on imports from Singapore came into effect on April 5.

Enterprise Singapore, which is under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is charged with helping Singaporean businesses compete globally and supporting the city-state’s position as a major international business and trading hub.

In a separate statement, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) also said that engagement with the US is ongoing.

The matter came up during an introductory phone call between Mr Albert Chua, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on April 8 during which they had talks about the bilateral relationship, particularly in the economic and defence domains.

“Permanent Secretary Chua and Deputy Secretary Landau discussed the recently announced tariffs by the US and agreed that both sides would continue the ongoing engagement on this issue,” said an MFA spokesperson in response to a query from The Straits Times.

A Fox Business report on April 15 named Singapore among scores of nations which are trying to negotiate deals after President Donald Trump stoked concerns across the world and roiled global stock markets with his April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement of sweeping tariffs.

In media interviews over the past few days, US officials are variously citing Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Australia and the European Union as among 75 economies which have approach...