“Singapore’s Prime Minister addresses concerns over the exclusive deal for Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ tour stop, asserting it’s not against regional unity.”

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has defended Singapore’s exclusive arrangement with pop icon Taylor Swift, which made the city-state the sole Southeast Asian stop for her Eras tour. Speaking at a joint press conference in Melbourne with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on March 5, Lee responded to questions about whether Singapore had paid for this exclusive deal and whether it was a deliberate slight to its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Lee emphasized that the agreement was not meant to undermine regional unity or the ASEAN spirit. He clarified that the deal was part of efforts to bring international events to Singapore, which he described as a global hub for entertainment. His comments came in response to media inquiries, particularly from The Sydney Morning Herald, which had raised concerns about the impact of this arrangement on relations with other ASEAN countries.

Some Southeast Asian leaders had voiced concerns that the exclusive concert deal might be seen as divisive within the region, but Lee reiterated that the government’s actions were aimed at promoting Singapore’s global standing and fostering positive international partnerships.