West Java BPS Worried Trump Tariff Disrupts West Java Export Performance

JAKARTA - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of West Java revealed that the new import tariff policy imposed by the United States (Tarif Trump) has the potential to interfere with West Java's export performance, although so far there has been no visible effect of the imposition of the new import duty.

The Acting Head of BPS West Java, Darwis Sitorus, conveyed that the imposition of an import rate of 32 percent by the United States on products from other countries, including Indonesia, could have an impact on various lines including employment in West Java, considering that so far the US is an export destination for West Java, even the trade balance with the US is often a surplus where as of March 2025 there was a surplus of around 478.67 million US dollars.

"If this policy is implemented, the impact can be very large for West Java, considering that export products originating from West Java are one of the highest in terms of US, such as knits, footwear, and rubber. We can imagine that millions of West Java residents are mostly in the industrial sector related to exports to the US," said Darwis, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, April 9.

One of the things that is expected to address the issue of the import duty imposed by the United States under Trump's leadership is the successful negotiations from President Prabowo Subianto for the review of the policy.

"We hope that the negotiations that will be carried out by Pak Prabowo as expressed during the harvest in Majalengka, are for a review of the policy. We pray that what is negotiated can benefit both parties," he said.

In addition, he also expects the government's policy to be able to open new markets for export-based industries, especially in countries that need a trade balance balance balance.

He gave an example of a country that could be a new export destination or developed to China and Taiwan, which was recorded by his party as still experiencing a deficit.

Darwis said the trade deficit with China was recorded at 62.14 million US dollars, while with Taiwan at 7.01 million US dollars.

"That can be an interesting thing, we hope that a more balanced trade policy can be carried out in countries where we still have a deficit (trade balance) such as China and Taiwan," he said.

In addition, he also hopes that the government can open new markets for Indonesian export products, such as to neighboring countries in Indonesia in Southeast Asia.

"So far, Indonesia's exports to neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam have a surplus. We can open to countries that are historically close to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, that can be done to expand our export market," he said.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, April 2, announced a combination of universal and reciprocal rates that will be applied to various countries around the world.

Trump stated that a 10 percent base rate will be imposed on all countries, while additional "return rates" will be applied to certain trading partners including China by 34 percent, Europe by 20 percent, Vietnam 46 percent, Taiwan 32 percent, Japan 24 percent, and Indonesia 32 percent.