American singer Taylor Swift's Eras Tour has sparked a diplomatic row as she performs six sold-out shows in Singapore, disappointing the country's neighbors, according to a report in the Independent. The exclusivity clause negotiated by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, which bans Ms Swift from performing anywhere else in Southeast Asia, has sparked a backlash among the city-state's neighbors over the arrangement, which is estimated to be worth around £14 million.
The 'Lover' singer will perform six shows in Singapore from March 2 to 9. Thailand and the Philippines have leveled the same criticism, labeling the deal as “unfriendly.” They have indicated that they are deprived of the increase in tourism resulting from her concerts.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he was aware of the agreement that Ms Swift will not do any other shows in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Citing a concert promoter, he said Singapore offered Ms. Swift up to $3 million per concert if she performed nowhere else in Southeast Asia. Sky News.
“The Singapore government is smart. If it had come to Thailand, it would have been cheaper to organize it here, and I think it could attract more sponsors and tourists to Thailand. Even though we would have to spend at least 500 million baht subsidize it, it would be worth it,” he said.
The Thai Prime Minister said in a keynote speech at the iBusiness Forum 2024 in Bangkok: “If I had known this, I would have brought the shows to Thailand. Concerts can generate added value for the economy.”
Philippine lawmaker Joey Salceda said the deal “is not what good neighbors do.” “Our countries are good friends. That's why actions like this hurt.” While he said it boosted Singapore's economy, it did so “at the expense of neighboring countries, which could not attract their own foreign concertgoers and whose fans had to go to Singapore.” He further said that the Philippines should not let things like this pass by.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Prime Minister confirmed that Ms Swift was receiving “certain incentives” from a government fund set up to revive Singapore's tourism sector following the Covid-19 outbreak. “It has proven to be a very successful scheme. I don't see that as unfriendly. Sometimes one country makes a deal, sometimes another country does. “I don't explicitly say 'you come here only on the condition that you don't go to other places,” he added.
Moreover, he suggested that when Ms Swift performed shows in Sydney and Melbourne before her Singapore performance, Australia may have come to similar “mutually acceptable, sensible arrangements”. 'If that is what needs to happen to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome that, from Singapore's perspective, serves not only to grow the economy but also to attract visitors and goodwill from across the region I don't think so. Look why not,” said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore.
He said, “If we had not made such an arrangement, would she have come to somewhere else in Southeast Asia or to more places in Southeast Asia? Maybe, maybe not. These are things she will decide.”