Singapore, Australia working towards legally binding protocol

Singapore and Australia are working towards a legally binding protocol on economic resilience and essential supplies under their free trade agreement, their leaders announced today.



Speaking at a press conference with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the two countries have agreed to accelerate negotiations on the protocol, which covers energy and other critical sectors.



"This is not just about managing today's crisis. It is about building trusted supply lines for a more uncertain future," Wong said.



In a joint statement, the two prime ministers agreed to keep trade flowing between the countries, with essential goods such as food continuing to move.



This includes liquefied natural gas (LNG), which Australia supplies to Singapore – accounting for more than one-third of Singapore's LNG – and refined petroleum products like diesel, which Singapore supplies to Australia.