PM Wong: no boom is forever. Singapore must seize the AI opportunity before a correction, and the right US tariff here is zero
Speaking at the Forbes Global CEO Conference on 8 October, PM Lawrence Wong said Singapore must seize the AI opportunity before a correction because no boom is forever (CNA). He discussed the risk that powerful, autonomous AI systems go rogue (CNA), said the right US tariff on Singapore should be zero (CNA), said Singapore would deepen regional connections as ASEAN chair in 2027 (BT), and pledged that the gains from AI would be shared widely (ST). Singapore has faced a 10 per cent US baseline tariff since April 2025 despite its free trade agreement.
It is a frank signal from the head of government that the AI boom is a window, not a permanent state, and that policy will try to spread its benefits.
If your job is exposed to AI, watch for training and job-switch support that follows the speech.
Moving early while capital and talent are flowing is the right call for a small, open economy.
Planning around a boom that may correct risks building capacity that sits idle later.
Watch the follow-up: the budget-season schemes for workers and the priorities Singapore sets for its 2027 ASEAN chairmanship.
DailyDrop Singapore edition No. 5 · Morning · FRI., OCT. 9, 2026