JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesia is pursuing a fair and balanced trade agreement with the United States as reciprocal tariff negotiations continue to gain momentum. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto announced the progress during a virtual press conference on Friday, emphasizing Indonesia’s commitment to building a stronger and more equitable trade relationship.

Indonesia has taken an active role in discussions with high-ranking US trade officials, including representatives from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) office and the Secretary of Commerce. Hartarto also noted that further meetings are planned with the US Secretary of the Treasury as part of efforts to deepen engagement and secure concrete outcomes.

“Indonesia is one of the first countries to be accepted into these discussions,” Hartarto stated. “Our objective is to establish a mutually beneficial framework that supports fair trade practices while fostering long-term economic ties with the United States.”

To that end, Indonesia has put forward a series of proposals aimed at strengthening bilateral economic relations. These include boosting imports from the US—particularly in energy and agriculture, such as crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), wheat, and soybeans—alongside offering incentives to US companies operating in Indonesia. The government also proposed collaboration in the critical minerals sector and streamlined import procedures for US goods.

Hartarto highlighted the importance of ensuring competitive access for Indonesian products in the US market. He called for reduced tariffs on key export commodities like textiles, footwear, furniture, and shrimp, arguing that such adjustments would help maintain Indonesia’s export competitiveness without harming US industries.

YouTube player