Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has called for a pragmatic approach to managing US-China relations, emphasizing the potential for global progress through effective interaction between the world’s two largest economies. Speaking at the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington on October 15, 2025, Tharman highlighted the need to transform competition into a shared space of innovation and mutual benefit. Drawing an analogy from ecology, he described the US-China relationship as an ‘ecotone’—a dynamic interface where different systems interact, adapt, and create new opportunities. Tharman warned against the dangers of decoupling, which could lead to bifurcation in technology, supply chains, and AI ecosystems, resulting in a ‘more profoundly dangerous’ world. Instead, he urged both nations to manage interdependence through trade, investment, and technological collaboration, particularly in areas like health, AI, and climate technologies. He also called on smaller nations to play intermediary roles in stabilizing relations and fostering innovation. Tharman stressed the importance of long-term thinking, urging policymakers to look beyond short-term tensions. He concluded with a call for renewed multilateralism and moral leadership, emphasizing that history shows breakthroughs are possible even in times of crisis. His remarks resonated with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva’s emphasis on ‘enlightened self-interest’ as a driver of international cooperation. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also reiterated the US’s commitment to ‘de-risk’ rather than decouple from China.