Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has defended an exclusive deal struck between his city-state and Taylor Swift, which restricts the pop star’s current Eras Tour from extending to other Southeast Asian countries.
Under the agreement, Swift is set to perform six concerts in Singapore from March 2 to 9, sparking criticism from some neighboring countries who feel they have missed out on the economic benefits and tourism boost typically associated with her concerts.
Lee acknowledged that Swift received “certain incentives” from a government fund aimed at revitalizing the tourism industry post-COVID-19 disruptions, making Singapore her sole Southeast Asian destination. However, he did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.
Despite the backlash, Lee maintained that the arrangement was not intended to be unfriendly towards other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), noting its success in promoting tourism in Singapore.
While attending an ASEAN leaders’ summit in Melbourne, Lee did not directly address whether the deal had caused tension among neighboring leaders, but he suggested that another country might have pursued a similar exclusive arrangement if Singapore had not.
Swift’s representatives have yet to comment on the matter.
Lee emphasized the importance of making mutually beneficial arrangements, citing Australia’s agreements with Swift during her performances in Sydney and Melbourne before her stint in Singapore.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who attended one of Swift’s concerts in Sydney last month, is hosting the ASEAN summit.
Overall, Lee defended Singapore’s decision to secure the exclusive deal with Swift, highlighting its potential benefits for the economy and tourism industry while leaving the ultimate decision-making to the artist.
