Nikkei Asia reported on Sunday that Singapore plans to examine any efforts by firms to reroute goods through the city-state to evade tariffs or to import items produced with forced labor.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the government would act on credible evidence of wrongdoing, but cautioned that enforcement must be realistic given Singapore's role as a global hub for re-exports and transshipment.

He noted that the United States has raised concerns about Chinese goods routed through Southeast Asia, and cited a 12.5% tariff on Singaporean exports that Washington says exists because Singapore lacks a law banning imports of goods produced with forced labor.

Wong said Singapore will continue engaging with the United States to explain its position.

He argued that trade is becoming less free and more shaped by security concerns, and that the world is not defined by the United States and China alone, pointing to Europe, India and other middle powers.

The remarks were delivered at the National Day Rally, the annual policy speech in which Wong outlines key policy announcements.