Analysts also noted that rising political polarisation and anti-globalisation sentiments have complicated the US’ standing as a stable destination for education, work and investment.
Dr Pan Zhengqi, a senior lecturer in business at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), said: “America’s appeal has long stemmed from its openness to talent, diversity of thought and its deep-rooted tradition of academic freedom. However, these qualities are increasingly uncertain.”
He cited the examples of Mr Trump’s restrictive immigration policies and threats to defund universities perceived as politically liberal that compound global perceptions of the US turning inward and more unpredictable.
Some people may be hoping that America’s image might “reset” once Mr Trump leaves office, but Dr Pan said “deeper undercurrents” – such as economic insecurity, scepticism towards globalisation and cultural conservatism in the US – made his rise possible and will likely outlast the US president.
Should the US be seen as too volatile or unsafe, more Singaporeans may increasingly look to alternatives in Europe, Canada or Asia. Regional hubs are also becoming more viable as remote work and hybrid study options gain traction, he noted.
“These shifts don’t necessarily mean disengagement from the US altogether, but they do suggest a diversification of options and a weakening of the US’ once near-unquestioned primacy in global business and tertiary education,” Dr Pan added.
Commenting on this, Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst with business consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore, is of the view that the US remains attractive to many Singaporeans, especially for its entrepreneurial economy.
Mr Trump’s actions may dent the US brand in the short term, but this is unlikely to mark the end of its global cultural influence, Dr Mustafa said, though there is now more competition from other countries where Singaporeans may travel to work and study.
“I think (it won’t be) a long-term impact, but certainly in the short term, there’ll be a rethinking on whether the US would be a destination or if they want to look at alternatives.”
Dr Mustafa also said that some people may choose to steer away from the US for personal or political reasons. For instance, as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, or because niche study courses are also offered elsewhere.
Mr Jamie Beaton, co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education, said interest in American universities remains steady, though a small number of Singaporean families have raised concerns about student visas and the potential for revocation.
“Even when we clarify that these cases have not affected students from Singapore and are unlikely to, it can still influence the decision-making process for those who were already uncertain,” Mr Beaton added.
Some of these families are thus prioritising the UK for undergraduate studies, with the possibility of considering the US for postgraduate education, he observed.
Overall, the US still dominates interest among Crimson’s Singapore-based students, though more are “rationally diversifying” their applications to include Australian, European and UK schools, especially as global admissions grow more competitive.
Speaking to CNA TODAY before Harvard’s latest move to sue the Trump administration, Mr Beaton said: “At this stage, it’s still very early, but based on precedent and Harvard’s response so far, we fully expect Harvard to mount a swift and serious legal challenge, and to win.”
In conversations with his students, Dr Mark Cenite, an associate dean of undergraduate education at Nanyang Technological University, said that there is a “fair amount of nuance” in how the Trump administration has an impact on young people’s views of the US.
Dr Cenite, who teaches media law and artificial intelligence law at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, said that many Singaporean students follow American social media influencers and would see that although Trump dominates news headlines, he does not similarly dominate other aspects of American daily life.
He added: “Trump has not yet become synonymous with America in my students’ eyes. Students are as familiar with Trump’s American critics as they are with Trump’s words and actions.”
STILL THE DREAM DESTINATION
It may well be too soon to say if Mr Trump’s actions and the volatile climate have affected US university enrolments from Singapore, given that public statistics are tallied yearly and enrolment numbers for the incoming cohort are not yet publicly available.
Yet while the ripple effects of Mr Trump’s policies and shifting global sentiment towards the US may mean that America’s cultural dominance is not the same as it once was, Singaporean students and professionals said the country still holds a strong appeal.
For 27-year-old creative agency founder Jodi Tang, the US once symbolised a key stepping stone in global education and professional growth.
“The challenges of securing visas, coupled with a more nationalistic climate, have made it harder for international talent to see the US as a straightforward, welcoming place to build a career or pursue higher education,” she said.
Still, Ms Tang said that Singaporeans who are adaptable and prepared to embrace different cultural norms, including a more diverse society with a greater sense of individualism, are likely to succeed.
During her recent travels to the US in May, she had a smooth immigration experience despite her expectations of a “more intense” process. She also noticed more “positive views” towards Singapore.
“People often express high praise for Singapore and I’ve observed that the ongoing tariffs have influenced public opinion. Instead of reinforcing negative views of China, the criticism seems directed more at the Trump administration’s policies,” Ms Tang added.
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