Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong used his first National Day Rally address to declare that protecting and expanding job opportunities for citizens will be the government’s foremost priority. He warned that the city-state must brace for headwinds from escalating global trade barriers and the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on employment. Wong said his administration will invest in upskilling and workforce resilience while pursuing a broader “resilience blueprint” that also covers housing supply and major infrastructure projects. He urged Singaporeans to adopt a “we-first” mindset to strengthen the social compact as the country navigates external economic shocks. The prime minister also highlighted the need to shield children from screen addiction and other digital risks, signalling that additional measures on online safety are being studied. In a separate Mandarin segment of the speech, he pledged to deepen the government’s partnership with the Chinese community, acknowledging its historic role in nation-building and its importance amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.