USA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, led a high-level delegation to the United States to discuss trade relations. In the meeting with U.S. Trade Representative officials, Airlangga offered to increase imports from the U.S. in a bid to balance the trade deficit between the two countries.

The proposed imports include energy products such as crude oil, gas, and gasoline, as well as agricultural commodities like soybeans, soybean meal, and wheat. These offers are aimed at creating a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship.

Airlangga also reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to critical minerals and welcomed U.S. investment in the sector. He emphasized the country’s efforts to address non-tariff barriers, a common concern among American businesses operating in Indonesia.

“We appreciate Secretary Lutnick’s openness to tariff negotiations and reaffirm Indonesia’s commitment to achieving fair and balanced trade,” Airlangga said, quoting from Antara News. In response, Secretary Lutnick praised Indonesia’s concrete proposals and highlighted their mutual benefits.

Both parties agreed on initiating reciprocal tariff negotiations, aiming to conclude them within the next 60 days. Lutnick encouraged Indonesia to promptly organize detailed technical discussions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

In the U.S. trade system, the Department of Commerce is responsible for formulating general tariff policies, while the USTR handles the technical negotiation process. Lutnick emphasized the importance of strengthening a long-term, mutually beneficial trade relationship between the two countries.

Indonesia’s negotiation team included key figures such as Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono, National Economic Council Vice Chair Mari Elka Pangestu, and Coordinating Ministry Secretary Susiwijono Moegiarso, along with several senior trade and investment officials.

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