Eroding Multilateralism: Why Smaller Countries Must Stay Open

The recent visit by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Uzbekistan’s Parliament has highlighted a pressing concern for smaller countries in today’s increasingly complex global landscape. As rivalries between major powers escalate, and trade dependencies become politicized, smaller nations face dwindling options for charting their own courses.

The rules-based international order, which has provided smaller countries with protection and predictability since the Second World War and the Cold War, is slowly unraveling. Multilateralism, once a cornerstone of global cooperation, is being challenged by rising tensions between major powers. While larger countries may pursue self-sufficiency and erect trade barriers to shield their domestic markets, smaller ones must continue to engage with the world.

Closing oneself off is impossible for smaller countries; they must remain open and outward-looking, seeking out like-minded partners who will work alongside them to uphold international rules. Lee Hsien Loong has emphasized this point, recognizing that even in a challenging environment, smaller countries can benefit from collaboration and collective action.

Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is an important step forward. By joining the multilateral trading system, Uzbekistan will gain greater access to global markets while being required to adhere to common international trade rules. This benefits not only Uzbekistan but also strengthens the coalition of like-minded countries working to shore up the multilateral trading system.

Uzbekistan’s unique position in Central Asia makes its accession particularly significant. The country has faced numerous challenges, from geopolitics to climate change, and has had to adapt to changing circumstances. Singapore, too, has navigated similar obstacles, including those related to geography, history, and economic development.

The partnership between Singapore and Uzbekistan serves as a model for other smaller countries seeking to strengthen their ties with like-minded partners. By sharing experiences and best practices, they can address common challenges such as attracting foreign investment, improving government quality, and investing in education. The launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement will further boost economic ties and facilitate business-to-business exchanges between the two countries.

However, the implications of eroding multilateralism extend beyond trade to regional cooperation and security. As Lee Hsien Loong noted, Central Asia and South-east Asia have long been regions where major powers vied for influence and advantage. The Great Game continues to this day, with both regions facing challenges from climate change to economic development.

In response to these challenges, smaller countries must take proactive steps to strengthen their regional ties. Singapore’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2027 provides an opportunity for the country to identify new avenues for ASEAN to engage partners beyond its traditional networks. Uzbekistan’s accession to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation will also help forge stronger links between Central and South-east Asia.

Ultimately, the future of multilateralism hangs in the balance. Smaller countries must remain vigilant and proactive in an increasingly complex global landscape, seeking out like-minded partners who will work alongside them to uphold international rules. The partnership between Singapore and Uzbekistan is a crucial step forward, but it represents only one part of a larger effort to strengthen regional ties and maintain the integrity of the multilateral trading system.

Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Uzbekistan marked a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries, serving as a reminder that smaller countries must remain vigilant and proactive in an uncertain world. The stakes are high, but by working together, they can build stronger regional ties and maintain their sovereignty in a rapidly changing global environment.

In Tashkent, Lee Hsien Loong’s words to the Uzbek parliament echoed through history: “Geography may be an obstacle, but geography does not determine our fate. Countries have agency, because their peoples and leaders can take control of their own destinies.” This message resonates with smaller countries everywhere as they face the challenges of eroding multilateralism and rising tensions between major powers.