A Chinese restaurant in Singapore’s Chinatown has taken down controversial signs announcing a “104 per cent surcharge” for American customers, after the messages went viral online and drew widespread criticism.
The signs, written in English and Chinese, were displayed on the front door of Xie Lao Song on Pagoda Street. They stated: “Starting from April 9, Americans will be charged a 104 per cent surcharge when dining at this restaurant.” The notice was signed, “Xie Lao Song, Singapore,” according to a report by Channel News Asia.
The signs appeared shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a 104 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, which many speculated may have prompted the restaurant’s response. However, the notices have since been removed, and both the owner and staff declined to comment publicly.
The incident sparked debate across social media platforms. A TikTok video posted by user ‘sgwhatsup’ showcasing the signs received over 400,000 views and more than 1,700 comments. On Reddit, the topic gained over 2,800 upvotes, with users divided over whether the act was a discriminatory gesture or a publicity stunt.
Singapore, where around 74 per cent of the population is of Chinese descent, typically uses the abbreviation “SG” to refer to the country. Although Singapore currently imposes no tariffs on U.S. goods, reports suggest American products may now be subject to a 10 per cent tariff.
Many online critics denounced the restaurant’s signage as discriminatory, while others raised legal questions. According to the report, Singapore does not have a law that explicitly prohibits pricing discrimination based on nationality.
Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University, noted, “Generally, it’s a ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ situation in private transactions. I don’t think it’s illegal, but it clearly raises ethical questions.”
Singapore’s Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act does prohibit unfair practices, including misleading claims or exploiting customers unable to protect their interests. However, it does not specifically define discrimination based on nationality as an unfair practice.