John Micklethwait

Do you think China won that particular round?

It seemed that America gave way on most things.

All the same, do you think poking the dragon in the way that the Prime Minister did, do you think that was advisable?

In the current atmosphere, what do you think the chances are of a war over Taiwan?

You also talked about a post-American order.

which sort of interests me because it implies that America's move towards isolationism and protection is not just Donald Trump, that even after he goes back to Mar-a-Lago or heaven or maybe he doesn't know the difference, that America no longer will be a champion of globalization, no longer be a sort of partner that you can rely on in the same way as you did.

Do you really think that America has gone?

To look at from the outside, America's policy towards China seems somewhat schizophrenic.

On the one hand, there is a very strong desire to keep China in check.

On the other hand, most people would say you keep a country like China in check by bringing all the other allies, all the people in the region onto your side.

And yet, as you pointed out, when tariffs happened, Trump has hit everyone with a variety of things which would not seem like ally-like behavior.

In terms of Singapore's position in that world, I suppose if I was to look at Southeast Asia, I must be coming here for three decades or around that.

When I first came, I think there was a general presumption that if things came to a head with China, most of Southeast Asia would probably stick with the West.

You look at what's happened over the past year, you know, that's become Southeast Asia, including Singapore has become home to many more Chinese companies.

As I said, Donald Trump hit the allies with tariffs.

Joe Biden wasn't that kind to you either.

Your first visit as prime minister was to Beijing, not to outside ASEAN, was to Beijing, not Washington.

I mean, is America losing this region?

But that's indicative, isn't it?

You would imagine an American president would want to see one of his main allies.