DPR Warns About 0 Percent Tariff Of US Products: Don't Let The Victim Of Food Sovereignty

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR Alex Indra Lukman, warned of a potential serious impact from the trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States (US), especially regarding the implementation of the 0% tariff on imported products from the US that enter the country.

Because according to Alex, in the midst of promises to increase exports to American markets, agricultural products and livestock from the US now have the opportunity to flood the domestic market at very low prices.

"Whatever form of economic cooperation is built, do not let Indonesia return to become a passive market and only enjoy the abundance of cheap goods from abroad at the expense of farmers and their own breeders," Alex told reporters, Friday, July 17.

Alex also emphasized that food sovereignty is not something that can be at stake in the trading negotiating table. He reminded us not to let this policy actually sacrifice the Indonesian people themselves.

This is not just a matter of trade. This is a direct threat to our farmers and farmers. So I hope that this policy does not sacrifice the agenda of our food sovereignty," he continued.

Alex then mentioned warnings from several economic analysts who assessed the massive entry of poultry, soybean, corn, and beef products from the US to have the potential to kill local business actors. Especially independent poultry farmers who support more than 5 million jobs.

According to him, the step to open an import faucet at a rate of 0% without clear protection against domestic production is a form of 'attendation' to foreign interests, not to national food sovereignty. Alex also assessed that this step was actually against and has the potential to accelerate the process of deindustrializing the food sector at the grassroots level when the government encourages food security.

"If frozen chicken from the US is sold well below the basic price of local farmers, how can the small people survive? Don't let us print a food deficit just because we are tempted by the promise of export access abroad," said the legislator from the West Sumatra I electoral district.

Therefore, the leadership of the Commission in the DPR in charge of agricultural and livestock affairs urged the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade to immediately review the impact of this 0 percent import tariff policy.

Alex also asked the Government to prepare a domestic market security mechanism, including through the implementation of safeguards, import quotas, as well as basic price protection for local farmers and breeders.

"The government must be transparent in conveying the basis for calculating and projecting the long-term impact of the policy on food security," he said.

"Including the impact on people's purchasing power, and the sustainability of micro and small businesses in the agricultural sector. Once again, do not sacrifice our food sovereignty agenda," concluded Alex.