Lee Kuan Yew’s Cane and Trump’s Tariffs

Excerpt

Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore and the creator of the economic miracle there, was a famously strict ruler. Considered by some a “benevolent dictator,” he countenanced no deviation from the country’s laws, often imposing cruel treatment for those who transgressed. His “spare the rod and spoil the child” approach could shed light on the motivations behind President Trump’s blitz of tariff threats against friends and foes alike.

The standard of living in Singapore is dramatically higher than in nearby Malaysia, Indonesia and China. Workers from those countries have long hastened to Singapore for work. The advantages of living in a secure, prosperous society have led migrants to overstay their visas, continuing to work off the books for years. In the 1980s, the population of illegal immigrants in Singapore grew to more than 10,000.

Mr. Pelson is author of “Wireless Wars; China’s Dangerous Domination of 5G and How We’re Fighting Back” and an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.