Latest news with #DrAnjaniSinha
CNA
6 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Tammy Duckworth: The US senator who grilled Hegseth and Sinha on their knowledge of ASEAN and Singapore
SINGAPORE: As the US decides on its ambassador to Singapore, one senator has drawn attention after her questioning of President Donald Trump's pick left him struggling to respond. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth probed Dr Anjani Sinha about Singapore during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday (Jul 9), concluding that she did not believe he was particularly qualified for the role. "You are not taking this seriously, you think this is a glamour posting, that you're going to live a nice life in Singapore," she said as her questioning time ran out. "You are not currently prepared for this posting, period, and you need to shape up and do some homework." Dr Sinha, who had difficulties answering Duckworth's questions on trade between the US and Singapore, is not the first Trump nominee to be grilled by her. The Iraq War veteran also put Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth on the spot during his confirmation hearing, raising concerns when he failed to answer her queries on America's relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Here's what you need to know about Duckworth and her history in politics and the military. INTERNATIONAL UPBRINGING Born in Bangkok to a US father and Thai mother, Duckworth lived in various countries in Asia as her father pursued jobs in the region. She spent most of her childhood in Indonesia but also stayed in Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam during her father's stint with United Nations development programmes. She attended the Singapore American School (SAS) in the 1980s. According to the school's website, she was part of its basketball and track teams. Duckworth finished her high school education in Hawaii after her family left Asia. She graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1989 before moving to Washington to pursue a Master's degree in International Relations at George Washington University. A WOMAN OF MANY FIRSTS Described by George Washington University as someone who has led "a life filled with firsts", Duckworth was the first Thai-American woman and first person born in Thailand elected to Congress. The 57-year-old, who lost both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm while serving during the Iraq War, was also the first disabled veteran elected to Congress. When she was elected to the US Senate in 2016, she was the first female double amputee in the upper house. Duckworth went on to become the first senator to give birth while in office when she had her second daughter in 2018, highlighting issues of parental leave and working mothers in politics. After giving birth, she secured a rules change that allowed senators to bring their infant children onto the Senate floor. TOUGH QUESTIONER Duckworth subjected Hegseth to rigorous questioning during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington. The former National Guard officer's performance drew criticism after he appeared to struggle with Duckworth's queries about ASEAN and the US' agreements with its members. When asked to state how many nations are in ASEAN, Hegseth replied: 'I couldn't tell you the exact amount of nations in that, but I know we have allies in South Korea, in Japan and in AUKUS with Australia – you're trying to work on submarines with them." AUKUS is a defence partnership between Australia, Britain and the US. Duckworth cut him off at this point: "None of those three countries that you mentioned are in ASEAN. I suggest you do a little homework before you prepare for these types of negotiations." MILITARY BACKGROUND Before she held a place on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Duckworth began building a career in the military during her time at George Washington University. She joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps, a leadership training and development programme that prepares college students for opportunities in the military. She was the only woman in her helicopter training class and finished as the best in her class with the highest test scores, according to the US National Women's History Museum. She continued to serve in the Reserve Forces and was deployed during the Iraq War, becoming one of the first few women to fly combat missions. In 2004, her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, which exploded in her lap. She lost both legs and partial use of her right arm as a result. She was awarded a Purple Heart, a medal presented to US military members who were wounded or killed as a result of enemy action during service. After her recovery, Duckworth became Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. She served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. ADVOCATE FOR WORKING FAMILIES During her political career, Duckworth advocated for working families and job creation, introducing Bills such as a move to ensure new mothers have access to safe, clean and accessible lactation rooms when travelling through airports. According to her biography on the George Washington University alumni website, she also introduced and passed the Troop Talent Act to help returning veterans find jobs in the private sector, and worked to cut waste and fraud at the Pentagon and throughout the government. Her first Senate Bill to help support jobs in Illinois and cut bureaucratic red tape on infrastructure projects was passed in a record 64 days. As a result of her achievements, Duckworth was recognised by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as one of the top five most effective Democratic Senators overall and the second-most effective on defence issues in the 117th Congress.
CNA
6 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Anjani Sinha, Trump's pick for ambassador to Singapore, struggles with answers at Senate hearing
SINGAPORE: Dr Anjani Sinha, US President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Singapore, struggled with his responses during a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday (Jul 9). The session at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which included four other nominees for various positions, saw a Democratic senator probe Dr Sinha's knowledge about Singapore. In his opening statement, Dr Sinha extended his "deep gratitude to President Trump for his nomination, and to Secretary Rubio for his support". Dr Sinha said in his statement that Singapore is the US' "key strategic partner and friend" in the Indo-Pacific. "Close cooperation with Singapore, along with our other allies and partners in the region, is more critical today than ever before." "In Singapore, I will look to expand and deepen our defence and security cooperation, economic and trade relationship, and people-to-people ties," Dr Sinha said. EXCHANGE WITH DUCKWORTH Before starting her questions, Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth told Dr Sinha that the ambassador role is not something to pick up on a "whim, or because you think it will be glamorous, or because Singapore is a great place to live". She said that Dr Sinha was not particularly qualified for the role, adding that she was concerned about how his "lack of understanding may even inadvertently cause friction in our critical relationship". Ms Duckworth then asked Dr Sinha: "How large was the US trade surplus with Singapore in 2024?" Dr Sinha, who appeared nervous, said US$80 billion, before correcting the figure to US$18 billion. The senator told him that it was actually US$2.8 billion and that he was "off by a huge factor". She then asked how he would explain to "our friends in Singapore the president's threats to slap tariffs as high as 25 per cent on their country", given the US' trade surplus with country. Singapore was hit with a tariff level of 10 per cent, the Trump administration announced in April. Dr Sinha replied: "We are not walking away from any dialogue between the two countries and two leaders. If confirmed, I will make a personal (relationship) with the government of Singapore, and I will make sure the dialogue continues and we settle the issues of trade together." When pressured by Ms Duckworth on whether he supported Mr Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Singapore, Dr Sinha did not directly respond. He said he believes in Mr Trump's decision of a "free trade with any nation in the world", adding that the US president was "resetting the trade numbers with each country, and he's open for discussion and dialogue with these countries". Dr Sinha was also unable to answer Ms Duckworth's question on when Singapore was next slated to hold the ASEAN chairmanship, with the senator telling him that the answer was "2027". Ms Duckworth then proceeded to question Dr Sinha on what might be of critical importance to Singapore in its role as ASEAN chair. Dr Sinha's answer was deemed too "broad" by Ms Duckworth. She also lambasted Dr Sinha's answer to her question relating to the US Navy's work with Singapore. "Can you name a specific thing, please. I'm trying to help you here, but you've not even done your homework, sir," she said. "You want to be ambassador to Singapore, one of the most important alliance friends we have in the Indo-Pacific, a key place that we're going to be fighting against our greatest adversary in the region, the PRC," Ms Duckworth said. She said that Singapore may feature incredible culture, but that should not be treated as a "glamour posting". "This nation is too important to the United States, to ASEAN, to the entire region," she added. "I just feel that you are not taking this seriously, and you think this is a glamour posting that you're going to live a nice life in Singapore." Earlier on in the nomination hearing, Dr Sinha was warmly introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Dr Sinha has been friends with Mr Trump for over a decade and Mr Graham himself has known him for years, the senator said. Mr Graham said that Singapore has a very "vibrant medical community, a lot of medical tourism, biotech, medical innovation". "All of this is right up his alley ... He'll be a great spokesperson for our country and Singapore, and he knows the region and the issues," said Mr Graham. Republican senator Pete Ricketts noted that he met with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing at the Shangri-La dialogue earlier this year. When asked what areas he would prioritise to strengthen the US-Singapore partnership and deepen cooperation as ambassador, Dr Sinha said: 'As you know, I am a physician, a surgeon, so I have been a long-time bridge builder and I believe strongly in a person-to-person connection." "If confirmed, my first basis would be to go there and create a very good, strong relationship with Singapore government. And obviously, I will do my best to increase ... I will deepen the defence security and economic ties with Singapore.' Mr Ricketts said that Dr Sinha would make 'a good connection with the foreign minister there' as Dr Balakrishnan is also a physician. Dr Sinha said: "Actually, him and I, we have so many things in common. He went to his school and became an eye surgeon. I went to his school and became an orthopaedic surgeon." "His wife is a physician who became a neurologist. My wife is an anaesthesiologist. His kids are lawyers. Our kids are lawyers and doctors. So we have a strong connection already." In March, Trump named Dr Sinha as his nominee to be the country's ambassador to Singapore. In a post on Truth Social then, Mr Trump said: "Anji is a highly respected entrepreneur, with an incredible family." He added: "The United States' relationship with Singapore is vital, and I have no doubt that Anji will strongly represent our nation's interests and put America first." Dr Sinha is a surgeon on the East Coast specialising in orthopaedics and sports medicine. The US State Department said he is an "accomplished entrepreneur, having built multiple thriving key-man practices with specialised teams across eight locations in New York, and has served as a senior surgical consultant in Florida".
