Singapore is a major hub for international trade and commerce, thanks to its strategic location, excellent infrastructure, and a business-friendly environment. The city-state has an extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries all around the world, which allows businesses to access new markets, reduce costs, and boost their competitiveness.

So, who does Singapore have free trade agreements with? Let`s review some of the key partners.

1. ASEAN: Singapore is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is a regional economic organization composed of ten countries in Southeast Asia. The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) was established in 1992 to promote intra-regional trade and investment. Singapore has an FTA with all ASEAN members, which enables free trade in goods and services, as well as investment protection and facilitation.

2. China: Singapore and China signed the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) in 2008, which is Singapore`s first comprehensive bilateral FTA with a major trading partner outside of ASEAN. The CSFTA covers trade in goods, services, and investments. China is Singapore`s largest trading partner and the FTA has further strengthened economic ties between the two countries.

3. United States: Singapore signed the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) in 2004, which is one of the most comprehensive FTAs that the US has signed with any country. The USSFTA covers trade in goods, services, and investments, as well as protection of intellectual property rights. The US is Singapore`s third-largest trading partner and the FTA has opened up new opportunities for businesses in various sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and logistics.

4. European Union: Singapore and the European Union (EU) signed the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in 2018, which is the first FTA between the EU and an ASEAN country. The FTA aims to boost trade and investment flows between the two regions by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The EU is Singapore`s second-largest trading partner and the FTA has created new opportunities for businesses in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and renewable energy.

5. Japan: Singapore and Japan signed the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) in 2002, which was the first FTA that Japan signed with an ASEAN country. The JSEPA covers trade in goods and services, as well as investment protection and facilitation. Japan is Singapore`s largest source of foreign direct investment and the FTA has further strengthened economic ties between the two countries.

In addition to these key partners, Singapore also has FTAs with other countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and Switzerland. These FTAs have enabled businesses to access new markets, reduce costs, and increase their competitiveness in the global marketplace. As a professional, it`s important to highlight the benefits of these FTAs for businesses and how they can leverage them to expand their global footprint.