Singapore supported a strong American presence in Southeast Asia as a balance against communist powers, while keeping its independence.
Lee Kuan Yew publicly supported the US role in Vietnam. He argued that the American effort bought time for the non-communist states of Southeast Asia. They could use that time to build their economies and stability.
Economic ties mattered. American companies invested heavily in Singapore's factories, especially electronics, from the late 1960s. This fitted Singapore's plan to attract foreign companies for jobs and growth.
After the USA left Vietnam, Singapore urged it to stay active in the region. An American presence balanced Soviet and Chinese influence.
In November 1990, as US bases in the Philippines faced closure, Singapore signed an agreement allowing US forces to use its facilities. Singapore valued the US presence but avoided becoming a formal ally.
- Lee on Vietnam
- US intervention bought time for Southeast Asia.
- US investment
- Major source of factories and jobs from the late 1960s.
- Access agreement
- November 1990.
Worked example: Explaining Singapore's support for the USA
Why did Singapore back the US presence?
- Security: a balance against communist powers in the region.
- Economy: American investment created jobs.
- Time: US involvement in Vietnam gave neighbours time to develop.
- Limit: Singapore stayed non-aligned and avoided a formal alliance.
Watch out for this
Singapore was a formal military ally of the USA.
Singapore supported the US presence and later allowed access to facilities in 1990, but it was not in a formal alliance with the USA.
Check your understanding
What did Singapore's 1990 agreement with the USA allow?
- US forces to use facilities in Singapore
- A US military base under US sovereignty
- Singapore to join NATO