REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan announced that the Indonesian government will soon undertake diplomatic efforts in response to the reciprocal tariffs policy introduced by US President Donald Trump.
"I have coordinated with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga. We must conduct diplomacy quickly," he remarked here on Tuesday.
Hasan underlined that Indonesia and the US have a mutual need for each other, highlighting the US as Indonesia's primary soybean supplier. He clarified that Indonesia would avoid trade wars or retaliatory tariffs, focusing instead on negotiations.
"We do not do retaliation. We do diplomatic talks," he stated.
The Indonesian government has decided to pursue negotiations following the imposition of a 32 percent import tariff on Indonesian goods by the US.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto earlier stated that the Indonesian government chose diplomacy over retaliatory tariff as a strategy in seeking mutually beneficial solutions for both nations.
"We are required to give a response by April 9. Indonesia is preparing an action plan by taking into account several factors, including imports and investments from the US," Hartarto stated during a limited coordination meeting held online in Jakarta on Sunday (April 6).
The approach prioritizes long-term bilateral trade interests and maintaining the investment climate and national economic stability. The government is also assessing the potential impact of the tariff policy on several export-oriented, labor-intensive sectors, such as the footwear industry, which are deemed vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
President Trump on Wednesday (April 2) announced "reciprocal" tariffs on several countries, including Indonesia. The Trump administration has also imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on imports from all countries.
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