The United States–Singapore Free Trade Agreement was signed 6 May 2003 and ratified by the US House of Representatives on 24 July 2003 by a vote of 272-155. The US Senate ratified the bill on 31 July 2003 by a vote of 66-32.[1] President George W. Bush signed into law the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act on 3 September 2003.[2] The trade pact was implemented by both countries on 1 January 2004.
In addition to lowering of tariffs, the agreement also allowed easier movement of citizens from both countries. With its implementation, it became possible for some Singaporean citizens to reside in the United States for extended periods of time. Business people and traders with E1 or E2 visa are now allowed a two-year stay period but an indefinite extension is allowed. Professionals with H-1B1 visa are allowed to stay for a maximum period of up to 18 months but indefinite extension can be applied for. There is an annual quota of 5,400 visa for Singaporeans, but this quota has yet to be reached to date. Any unused quota is transferred to the general pool for use by citizens of other countries.[3]
United States citizens coming to Singapore are allowed to work in most business occupations for 3 months without a visa or Professional Visit Pass.
Chapter 12 of the agreement proscribes conduct to promote competitive market behavior.[4] The chapter broke new ground among U.S. FTAs for its obligations related to government enterprises. A government enterprise was a "covered entity" for purposes of the FTA if the Government of Singapore owned any special voting shares, with the exception of enterprises operating only for investing Singapore Government reserves.[5] Even if the Singapore Government did not own any shares in an enterprise, enterprises with revenue over an adjusted threshold could still be a covered entity if there was "effective influence" from the Government. Effective influence exists where the government owns more than 50% of the voting rights, or can exercise substantial influence over the management. If the government owns less than 50% of the voting shares, but more than 20%, there is a presumption of effective influence that the Government of Singapore can rebut.[6]
Having broadly defined government enterprises, the chapter goes on to proscribe several obligations subject to the FTAs dispute settlement provisions.[7] Singapore agreed to ensure that its government enterprises acted in accordance with commercial considerations and that they do not enter into anti-competitive dealings with competitors.[8] Singapore also agreed to annually publish a report detailing its ownership and relationship with all covered entities, offer the names of any government officials serving as officers or directors, and the entity's annual revenue or total assets.[9] Furthermore, Singapore is obligated to take no action or attempt at influencing decisions of its government enterprises, and at the same time continually reduce, with the goal of substantially eliminating, its ownership and other interests in enterprises.[10]
Views in favor of US-Singapore FTAedit
Proponents of the US-Singapore FTA claim that the reduction of trade barriers between the two countries will lead to a growth in exports.
Views opposed to the US-Singapore FTAedit
In announcing the deal, President Bush hailed Singapore as "a strong partner in the war on terrorism and a member of the coalition on Iraq." Asia Times columnist Jeffrey Robertson argued that the deal was a reward for Singapore's support of the Iraq invasion. The suggested quid pro quo may be dubious, since the FTA negotiations with Singapore were begun by President Clinton and concluded around the same time as the FTA with Chile (also started by Clinton), which was not a coalition partner.[11][12][13]
^. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
Other referencesedit
Congressional Research Service Report on Singapore FTA
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Hearing on US-Singapore FTA
April 13, 2024
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The United States Singapore Free Trade Agreement was signed 6 May 2003 and ratified by the US House of Representatives on 24 July 2003 by a vote of 272 155 The US Senate ratified the bill on 31 July 2003 by a vote of 66 32 1 President George W Bush signed into law the United States Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act on 3 September 2003 2 The trade pact was implemented by both countries on 1 January 2004 Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and U S President George W Bush signing the US Singapore Free Trade Agreement in the White House May 6 2003 In the background Robert Zoellick and Colin PowellIn addition to lowering of tariffs the agreement also allowed easier movement of citizens from both countries With its implementation it became possible for some Singaporean citizens to reside in the United States for extended periods of time Business people and traders with E1 or E2 visa are now allowed a two year stay period but an indefinite extension is allowed Professionals with H 1B1 visa are allowed to stay for a maximum period of up to 18 months but indefinite extension can be applied for There is an annual quota of 5 400 visa for Singaporeans but this quota has yet to be reached to date Any unused quota is transferred to the general pool for use by citizens of other countries 3 United States citizens coming to Singapore are allowed to work in most business occupations for 3 months without a visa or Professional Visit Pass Contents 1 Competition chapter 2 Views in favor of US Singapore FTA 3 Views opposed to the US Singapore FTA 4 See more 5 References 6 Other referencesCompetition chapter editChapter 12 of the agreement proscribes conduct to promote competitive market behavior 4 The chapter broke new ground among U S FTAs for its obligations related to government enterprises A government enterprise was a covered entity for purposes of the FTA if the Government of Singapore owned any special voting shares with the exception of enterprises operating only for investing Singapore Government reserves 5 Even if the Singapore Government did not own any shares in an enterprise enterprises with revenue over an adjusted threshold could still be a covered entity if there was effective influence from the Government Effective influence exists where the government owns more than 50 of the voting rights or can exercise substantial influence over the management If the government owns less than 50 of the voting shares but more than 20 there is a presumption of effective influence that the Government of Singapore can rebut 6 Having broadly defined government enterprises the chapter goes on to proscribe several obligations subject to the FTAs dispute settlement provisions 7 Singapore agreed to ensure that its government enterprises acted in accordance with commercial considerations and that they do not enter into anti competitive dealings with competitors 8 Singapore also agreed to annually publish a report detailing its ownership and relationship with all covered entities offer the names of any government officials serving as officers or directors and the entity s annual revenue or total assets 9 Furthermore Singapore is obligated to take no action or attempt at influencing decisions of its government enterprises and at the same time continually reduce with the goal of substantially eliminating its ownership and other interests in enterprises 10 Views in favor of US Singapore FTA editProponents of the US Singapore FTA claim that the reduction of trade barriers between the two countries will lead to a growth in exports USTR Site on Singapore FTAViews opposed to the US Singapore FTA editIn announcing the deal President Bush hailed Singapore as a strong partner in the war on terrorism and a member of the coalition on Iraq Asia Times columnist Jeffrey Robertson argued that the deal was a reward for Singapore s support of the Iraq invasion The suggested quid pro quo may be dubious since the FTA negotiations with Singapore were begun by President Clinton and concluded around the same time as the FTA with Chile also started by Clinton which was not a coalition partner 11 12 13 Citizens Trade Campaign Site on Singapore FTASee more editRules of Origin Market access Free trade area TariffsReferences edit United States Singapore Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2003 H R 2739 GovTrack us Retrieved March 27 2019 President Bush Signs Chile Singapore Free Trade Agreement Bills georgewbush whitehouse archives gov Retrieved March 27 2019 Free Trade Agreements Enterprise Singapore www enterprisesg gov sg Retrieved March 27 2019 Final Text of the Agreement Article 12 8 Article 12 8 5 Article 12 3 2 Article 12 3 2 d Article 12 3 g Article 12 3 2 e f President Signed U S Singapore Free Trade Agreement Asia Times Online Global Economy USTR Quick Facts U S Singapore Free Trade Agreement Archived from the original on January 14 2009 Retrieved February 3 2009 Other references editCongressional Research Service Report on Singapore FTA Congressional Research Service Report on Free Trade Agreements with Singapore and Chile Labor Issues U S Senate Finance Committee Hearing on US Singapore FTA Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Singapore United States Free Trade Agreement amp oldid 1196635176, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
