REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia was one of the first nations to engage the United States in negotiations regarding reciprocal tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. Indonesia Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the Indonesian delegation in the United States is actively pursuing a fair and balanced trade partnership.
The delegation has engaged in several key strategic meetings with top U.S. officials, including the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Secretary of Commerce. A meeting with the Secretary of Treasury is also planned to discuss adjustments to trade tariffs impacting Indonesian exports.
"Based on the discussions, Indonesia was among the first countries accepted for these talks, which aim to explore options for bilateral cooperation with the United States. Our goal is to establish a trade relationship that is fair and balanced," Minister Airlangga explained during a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Friday (April 18, 2025).
Minister Airlangga further elaborated that Indonesia has presented several proposals to the U.S., including increased procurement of energy, agricultural goods, and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services.
Additionally, Indonesia is offering incentives and facilities to both U.S. and Indonesian companies, facilitating and optimizing cooperation in critical minerals, simplifying import procedures for U.S. products, and encouraging strategic business-to-business investments.
Indonesia also emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration in education, science, the digital economy, and financial services. The delegation advocated for lower tariffs on key Indonesian export products that do not compete with U.S. domestic industries, such as garments, footwear, textiles, furniture, and shrimp. Furthermore, Indonesia stressed the need to ensure the resilience of the supply chain for strategic products to maintain economic security.
"The primary objective of these ongoing negotiations is for Indonesia to secure lower tariffs, ensuring that the tariffs imposed on our products are comparable to those levied on other countries. Other targets will be determined as discussions progress through what is expected to be one to three rounds of negotiations," Minister Airlangga noted.
The negotiation process is anticipated to span one to three rounds, adhering to the format and principles mutually agreed upon by Indonesia and the U.S.
Minister Airlangga also announced that Indonesia and the U.S. have agreed to conclude these discussions within a 60-day timeframe.
The Indonesian government is optimistic that within these 60 days, the agreed framework for cooperation can be formalized into a mutually beneficial agreement.
"We are actively engaging with various stakeholders, including business communities and associations in the United States, who can undoubtedly assist Indonesia in its engagement with the U.S. Government. We are hopeful that through these interactions, Indonesia's position in these negotiations can be successfully resolved within the 60-day target," he concluded.
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