Singapore has been ranked as the second top country in the world for business entry, according to the World Bank “B-READY” 2025 report. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Singapore has a population of 5.9 million and a nominal GDP of $531 billion, with GDP per capita coming in at $89,370.
U.S. – Singapore Trade
Since implementation of the U.S.-Singapore FTA in 2004, U.S. exports to the nation have increased by over $8 billion. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, new market opportunities have also been created, including those for pharmaceutical products and organic chemicals. In 2024, two-way trade totaled 88.22 billion.
U.S. exports to Singapore totaled $46.03 billion in the same year. Top exports to Singapore included oil and gas at $7.86 billion, computer and electronic products ($7.14 billion), transportation equipment at $6.77 billion, chemicals ($5.12 billion), and non-electrical machinery ($4.65 billion).
Imports to the United States from Singapore totaled $43.18 billion in 2024. Top imports from Singapore include chemicals, which made up $20.89 billion of the total. This was followed by computer and electronic products ($6.00 billion), reimports ($4.42 billion), non-electrical machinery ($3.00 billion), and processed foods ($2.81 billion).
Singapore is the 11th largest export market for California. In 2024, California exports to Singapore totaled over $5.15 billion. Computer and electronic products accounted for $1.63 billion of the total exports, while non-electrical machinery was second with $955 billion. These were followed by petroleum and coal products ($730 million), chemicals ($408 million), and transportation equipment ($391 million).
Imports to California from Singapore totaled $5.66 billion in 2024. Top imports included computer and electronic products ($1.98 billion), petroleum and coal products ($1.42 billion), chemicals ($667 million), miscellaneous manufactures ($507 million), and reimports ($402 million).
FDI – Singapore
U.S. direct investment to Singapore totaled $424.2 billion in 2023, a 13 percent increase from the previous year. Foreign direct investment from Singapore into the United States was $37.5 billion (BEA). In 2021, Singaporean FDI in the US contributed to 40,200 jobs, $342 million in innovative research and development, and another $314 million in the expansion of U.S. exports. The top industry sectors for Singaporean FDI were software and IT services, business services, communications, financial services, electronic components, and biotechnology. Select USA
According to figures from the 2018 SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C., Singapore is currently a fast-growing source of FDI in the U.S. Major investors include Singapore Airlines, American President Lines, and Sovereign Wealth Fund (known in San Francisco as Singapore Investment Wealth Corp).
In California, the 14th largest source of FDI through foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs) is Singapore. Singaporean FOEs in California provided 13,053 jobs through 198 firms amounting to $1.46 billion in wages. The top jobs by sector are manufacturing, professional/business services, leisure/hospitality, natural resources, and wholesale trade (World Trade Center Los Angeles FDI Report).
In March 1998, the California Trade and Commerce Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Trade Development Board, Economic Development Board, and the National Science and Technology Board. This agreement was reinforced in May 1999, when then Governor Gray Davis and Prime Minister Goh signed a Memorandum of Understandingreiterating the mutual commitment to economic and IT co-operation. (Singapore MFA)
The U.S.- Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) went into effect in January 2004. Under the agreement, most tariffs were eliminated immediately, with the remaining tariffs phased out over a three to ten-year period.
The Agreement was signed on May 6, 2003 by President Bush and Goh Chok Tong, the Prime Minister of Singapore. The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed the FTA in July 2003 by a vote of 277-155 and 66-32 respectively. This marked the first time the Trade Promotion Authority (approved in 2002) was used.
A major strategic trading partner of the United States and one of America’s closest friends, Singapore has one of the most open, well-regulated, safe and secure investment climates in the world. It is consistently rated among the most competitive economies in the world. The USSFTA is making this remarkably productive relationship even closer. In 2014, the U.S. State Department estimated that nearly 2,000 U.S. companies have regional headquarters in Singapore. Additionally, a large number of Americans currently live in Singapore.
The U.S.-Singapore FTA enhances mutual interests in a stable, prosperous ASEAN and East Asia, and will further strengthen the partnerships across the Pacific. Singapore, one of the busiest port cities in the world, already has free trade pacts with New Zealand and Japan.
American companies have a great deal to gain with the USSFTA. This comprehensive agreement benefits American firms and workers, and complements ongoing regional and multilateral trade and investment liberalization efforts.
United States and Singapore Hold Sixth Annual Free Trade Agreement Review October 15, 2010
Washington, D.C. -The United States and Singapore held their sixth annual review of the implementation of their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) today. Assistant United States Trade Representative Barbara Weisel led the U.S. delegation and Deputy Secretary Koh Lin-Net of the Ministry of Trade and Industry led the Singaporean delegation.
The two sides reviewed implementation of the agreement and the growth in bilateral economic trade and investment. Since the FTA came into force in 2004, job creating U.S. goods exports have increased 34 percent, with goods exports totaling $22.2 billion in 2009. Trade in services also is up, with U.S. exports of $9 billion to Singapore in 2008 (the latest available data), up 60 percent from 2004. Foreign direct investment in both directions rose, with Singaporean investment in the United States totaling $22.9 billion last year and U.S. investment in Singapore totaling $76.9 billion.
During the review meeting the two sides exchanged views on issues and concerns related to agricultural and textile market access, intellectual property rights, regulations related to cable TV content, and other issues. The two sides also reviewed the past year’s activities under the Plan of Action for Environmental Cooperation, and reviewed the results of recent meetings in Singapore exploring ways to intensify joint work on labor issues, including worker rights and human resources development.
The U.S.-Singapore FTA also serves as a foundation for broader cooperation between the two countries regionally and multilaterally. The United States is engaging closely with Singapore on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP), a high-standard agreement that will serve as a platform for Asia-Pacific economic integration in a way that reflects U.S. priorities and values. The United States and Singapore also work together closely in other fora, including the WTO, ASEAN and APEC.
After 8 years of negotiations, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed on November 15, 2020. The RCEP is a free trade agreement (FTA) with 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states—Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam—and the five states with which ASEAN has existing FTAs—Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
CalChamber Joins Singapore Ambassador in Celebration of Nation’s 50th Anniversary of Independence
California Chamber of Commerce International luncheon held on October 6, 2015 with the Consulate General of Singapore celebrated Singapore’s 50th National Day of Independence, providing an opportunity to highlight the strong trading ties between Singapore and the United States, as well as California. Top Story
from left to right: Susanne T. Stirling, Vice President International Affairs, Singapore Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri and Chris Cheang, Consul General of SingaporeAmbassador of the Republic of Singapore to the United States Ashok Kumar Mirpuri speaks at a California Chamber of Commerce-sponsored luncheon celebrating Singapore’s 50th National Day on October 6, 2015. Photo by Sara Espinosa
Singapore Prime Minister at Chamber Luncheon
Gary M. Cusumano (left), 1999 chair of the California Chamber Board of Directors, presents Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of the Republic of Singapore a memento from the Chamber at the Chamber-hosted luncheon for the Prime Minister.
(June 11, 1999) The California Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon honoring Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong during the Prime Minister’s visit to Sacramento on May 27. The Prime Minister was in California for three days to promote increased trade and cultural ties with Singapore. Singapore is California’s sixth largest trading partner. California exports nearly $5 billion annually to Singapore.
Singapore has been ranked as the second top country in the world for business entry, according to the World Bank “B-READY” 2025 report. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Singapore has a population of 5.9 million and a nominal GDP of $531 billion, with GDP per capita coming in at $89,370.
