Trading Partner Portal: Singapore
Interview Series Featuring California’s Key Trading Partners – Featuring William Chik, Consul General of Singapore in San Francisco:
Synergy in Many Fields, from Tech to Food, Boosts Ongoing Trade/Investment Success
CalChamber, February 5, 2021
Trade Overview
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 World Bank, Singapore has a population of 6.11 million and a GDP of $603.87 billion.
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 2025, two-way trade totaled $79.76 billion.
U.S. exports to Singapore totaled $41.66 billion in the same year. Top exports to Singapore included computer and electronic products ($9.03 billion), transportation equipment ($7.62 billion), non-electrical machinery ($4.85 billion), primary metals manufactures ($3.82 billion), and chemicals ($3.81 billion).
Imports to the United States from Singapore totaled $38.10 billion in 2025, an almost 12% decrease from 2024. Top imports from Singapore include chemicals ($15.08 billion), computer and electronic products ($7.10 billion), goods returned ($4.24 billion), primary metals manufactures ($2.38 billion), and processed foods ($2.35 billion).
Services trade between the U.S. and Singapore totaled $67.46 billion in 2025, with exports totaling $48.52 billion. Top services exports were other business services ($32.97 billion), charges for intellectual property use ($4.81 billion), financial services ($3.59 billion), telecommunications, computer and information services ($2.50 billion), and maintenance and repair services ($1.47 billion).
Imports from Singapore to the U.S. totaled $18.94 billion in that same year. Top imports were other business services ($3.97 billion), telecommunications, computer, and information services ($2.99 billion), financial services ($2.90 billion), transport services ($1.97 billion), and charges for intellectual property use ($1.63 billion).
California – Singapore Trade
Singapore is the 10th largest export market for California. In 2025, California exports to Singapore totaled over $5.25 billion. Computer and electronic products accounted for $1.75 billion of the total exports. Other top exports were non-electrical machinery ($840 million), petroleum and coal products ($656 million), chemicals ($463 million), and transportation equipment ($391 million).
Imports to California from Singapore totaled $4.69 billion in 2025. Top imports included computer and electronic products ($2.17 billion), chemicals ($766 million), goods returned ($422 million), petroleum and coal products ($405 million), miscellaneous manufactures ($287 million).
FDI – Singapore
U.S. direct investment to Singapore totaled $484.2 billion in 2025. Foreign direct investment from Singapore into the United States was $52.5 billion (BEA).
Singaporean FDI in the U.S. contributed to 58,200 jobs, $272 million in innovative research and development, and another $1.7 billion in the expansion of U.S. exports. The top industry sectors for Singaporean FDI were software and IT services, business services, electronic components, communications, financial services, and biotechnology. Select USA
According to figures from SelectUSA, Singapore is currently the 14th fastest-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). Singapore is also the 13th largest source of FDI in the United States.
In California, the 16th largest source of FDI through foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs) is Singapore. Singaporean FOEs in California provided 13,635 jobs through 198 firms amounting to $1.65 billion in wages. The top jobs by sector are manufacturing, professional/business services, leisure/hospitality, wholesale trade, and transportation, warehousing, & utilities (World Trade Center Los Angeles FDI Report).
CalChamber Resources
- AmCham Singapore
- Singapore Consulate General in California
- International Trade FAQs
- GO-Biz Stats: Singaporean FDI in CA
Business
- International Trade Council
- U.S. Commercial Service in Singapore
- Enterprise Singapore
- Singapore-American Business Association in California
- Statistics Singapore