An orthopaedic and sports medicine surgeon by training, Dr. Sinha is originally from India and is now Florida-based, and has no prior diplomatic experience. Dr. Hugh Culbertson, a promised "lifelong bridge builder" and friend of Trump's for more than a decade who was invited to testify at the hearing by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, was described as such. Trump had previously called Sinha a "highly respected entrepreneur" and said he had "no doubt" that Sinha would serve American interests in Singapore.
But even with those plaudits, Sinha tripped up on some of the simplest of questions during her testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. To a question about Singapore's trade surplus with the US, he said first that it was $80 billion, before changing his answer to $18 billion. Senator Duckworth told him that the proper number was $2.8 billion.
Sinha also stumbled when asked how he would clarify Trump's controversial 10% tariff on goods from Singapore — a delicate topic in the trade-reliant city-state. His responses were varied and ultimately ended with the cryptic line: "The conversation is not closed."
Additional questions on what role Singapore played in ASEAN's role, its chairmanship this year, and the presence of the US Navy in the country were also given either incorrect or confusing answers. By the end of the back-and-forth, Duckworth was visibly frustrated, telling Sinha, "You are not prepared at this time for this posting, period, and you need to shape up and do some homework."
Singapore Backlash and Murky Way Forward
Singaporeans immediately went online to vent their dismay about what they had just seen, questioning how he could be considered for appointment. Comments derided his credentials, with one noting, "this guy is more embassador than ambassador." Another, tongue-in-cheek, suggestion was that Sinha could be an even greater insult than the US tariffs themselves.
Many commended Senator Duckworth for taking a strong position. The senator drew attention earlier in the year for grilling another Trump nominee, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who could not name a single ASEAN member country in his own hearing.
Still, Sinha's confirmation is likely due to the Republicans' control of the Senate and of the committee that has jurisdiction over the nomination. The foreign relations committee is expected to sign off on his nomination, paving the way for a full Senate vote.
A US State Department report backing Sinha's name had cited his familiarity with American as well as Asian values and his acumen in business among his strengths. But critics maintain that such diplomacy — particularly in a strategically important country like Singapore — requires a deeper regional knowledge and readiness.
Singapore – a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific – is also key to defence, security, and economic cooperation. The strategic port of the country is essential to the presence of the US Navy in the region, and the country is due to chair the ASEAN regional bloc next year.
It is unclear whether Sinha's performance will have an effect on his confirmation, but the hearing has already raised larger questions about whether diplomatic picks now involve a lot more loyalty and a lot less experience.
