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US Embassy in Singapore Defends Call for Larger Corporate Gifts for July 4 Celebration

The mission says seeking private-sector support is standard practice worldwide.

Overview

  • A Jan. 8 letter signed by Ambassador Anjani Sinha asked partners to consider “substantially larger” contributions than in prior years.
  • The embassy linked the fundraising to the United States’ 250th Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of US–Singapore relations on April 4.
  • Officials said every US embassy looks to private partners to help fund Independence Day events each year.
  • The appeal was circulated to business networks, including members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.
  • The phrasing drew online criticism in Singapore, but the embassy has stood by the request.