Singapore’s PM: “We’re Not Expecting a Big Breakthrough, But We’re Trying to Keep The Conversation Going”
Inside the G20 – A Reality Check
During a joint press briefing with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong slipped into a candid, almost conversational tone about what the G20 summit actually looks like on the ground.
- Climate‑cable serious stuff: “We are in danger on climate; we’re heading the wrong way.” lauded Lee.
- World‑economy whack‑a‑head: He pointed to the ongoing slump and hinted at no quick fixes.
- Security tightener: The Russia‑Ukraine clash remains the ticking time‑bomb of diplomatic talks.
- Geostrategy gotcha: “The problems are getting worse, not better… we need some solid progress.”
Despite the lofty ambitions, the prime minister’s tone wasn’t all doom‑and‑gloom. He pledged that while a single‑day “breakthrough” is unlikely, he’s hopeful for a general consensus on the direction forward.
And in a quick side note like a game‑changer, he mentioned the upcoming meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden as probably more consequential than any conclave at the G20. “That’s where the real show‑stopper will be,” Lee said.
Quick facts: The G20 is a club of 19 major economies plus the EU. Singapore isn’t a formal member, but the island’s Chairman of the World Bank is a staple on the sidelines of every meeting.
