Trump’s nominee for Singapore ambassador criticised in Senate for lack of regional knowledge

Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Singapore faced sharp criticism during his Senate confirmation hearing after repeatedly failing to answer questions on US-Singapore relations and broader Southeast Asian affairs. Prof Joseph Liow, Southeast Asian politics expert at Singapore’s RSIS, said that the nominee "could have been better prepared" but pointed out that Singapore had historically maintained strong ties with the US regardless of the ambassador in place. “It is true he did not give the best account during the hearings and could have been better prepared,” he told the South China Morning Post. “It probably did not help that he was quizzed by Tammy Duckworth, who has a distinguished military record, is very familiar with Southeast Asia and speaks a few regional languages.”

- Similar story in MSN News, 10 Jul

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