Philippines-Singapore: Taylor Swift's tour in the region risks opening a diplomatic case

Philippines-Singapore: Taylor Swift’s tour in the region risks opening a diplomatic case

A member of parliament from the Philippines, Joey Salceda, asked his country’s Foreign Ministry to ask the Singapore government for explanations regarding a sum of money, around three million dollars, that the city-state authorities allegedly offered to the American pop star Taylor Swift not to perform in any other Southeast Asian country. This was reported by the online newspaper “South China Morning Post”, published in Hong Kong. Swift arrived in Singapore today for a series of concerts that she will hold at the National Stadium starting from Saturday 2 March, at which a total of over 300 thousand spectators are expected. This is the only date of the Eras Tour in Southeast Asia. The controversy, fueled by the disappointment of “swifties” in other countries, erupted after the prime minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, reported an exclusivity agreement between the Singaporean authorities and the singer. The latter reportedly accepted approximately $2,8 million on the condition that she not perform elsewhere in the region. “That’s not what good neighbors do,” Salceda attacked.

“I want to acknowledge that the agreement worked, but at the expense of neighboring countries whose fans are now forced to go to Singapore. I don’t think we should let this slide like we have in the past. We should officially express our opposition. Furthermore, this is an action contrary to the principles of consensus and solidarity on which Asean was founded,” the Philippine deputy further observed, referring to the Association of South-East Asian Nations. Last February 21st Singapore’s Tourism Council and Ministry of Culture confirmed that Swift received a donation from the city-state, without specifying the amount and without referring to any exclusivity clause. According to experts, Taylor Swift’s concerts in Singapore could generate revenue similar to that produced by the seven concerts the singer performed in Australia, around $780 million.