Singapore is basking in the glow of a “very successful” visit from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, no doubt boosting the city-state’s already thriving local economy. The only problem is, an uncovered plan which saw Swift paid by the Singaporean government to secure exclusivity rights has been made public—and the nation’s neighbors aren’t pleased.
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00:00 Taylor Swift's Aries Tour hit Singapore with a boost to the city-state's already thriving local economy,
00:05 but neighboring countries aren't happy with how the Singaporean government secured exclusivity rights with her.
00:11 Fans were disappointed when Swift announced last year that the Asia-Pacific leg of her Aries Tour
00:15 would only include Japan, Australia, and Singapore.
00:18 Last month, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Seta Thawisen,
00:22 alleged the Singaporean government had offered Swift millions
00:25 if she agreed her only performances in Southeast Asia would be on their turf.
00:30 Seta told a business forum in Bangkok that Singapore had paid the love story singer $3 million a show.
00:36 The allegations infuriated politicians in the region,
00:39 leaving the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, to try to salvage relations.
00:44 On Tuesday, Lee confirmed the negotiations with Swift,
00:47 saying the agreement had turned out to be a very successful arrangement.
00:51 He added, "I don't see that as being unfriendly.
00:54 Members of Singapore's parliament have also been quick to dismiss the rumors of how much Swift was paid.
00:58 A lawmaker in the Philippines said the deal is not what good neighbors do,
01:03 and other countries like Indonesia and Hong Kong feel as though they've missed out on Swiftonomics."