JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesia’s Trade Minister, Budi Santoso, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a trade surplus with the United States despite the ongoing shifts in global trade policies under the administration of President Donald J. Trump. His statements came in response to the new tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, specifically targeting several countries, including Indonesia.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia’s trade surplus with the U.S. reached $1.75 billion in 2024, marking a 32.6% increase from the previous year.

To sustain this surplus, the Indonesian government plans to diversify the products it exports to the U.S., with a focus on goods that are not currently produced in the United States.

Minister Budi emphasized the importance of expanding the range of exports, stating, “This strategy aims to ensure that Indonesia’s trade balance with the U.S. remains positive,” he explained during a press conference in Jakarta on February 5, 2025.

In addition to diversifying exports, Minister Budi noted that the U.S. tariffs are likely an attempt to encourage more direct investment into U.S. production facilities. This would allow U.S.-based manufacturing to take over production in certain sectors, reducing competition for products that Indonesia can still supply.

With this in mind, the Indonesian government is actively engaging with exporters to identify the best ways to adapt to these changes and preserve their market access in the U.S.

The government has also been exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation with the U.S. to ease trade flows. Discussions with U.S. counterparts are ongoing to assess how to improve the current trade agreement and respond to the evolving dynamics in global commerce.

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