Trump Looked At The Indonesian Copper, Bahlil Asks For Prabowo's Directions

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia opened his voice regarding the statement by the President of the United States (US) Donald Trump who wanted to include Indonesian copper in the trade agreement to reduce the reciprocal rate.

Bahlil admitted that he would re-check and consult with President Prabowo Subianto and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto regarding the agreement.

"I will check again, ask for directions later Mr. President Prabowo and the Coordinating Minister for items," Bahlil told the media crew at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, Friday, July 18.

Bahlil explained that the negotiation process must follow the regulations in force at home.

As far as he is concerned, all the steps in the discussion are still within the framework of national rules.

This means that the copper that will be accessed by America is copper that has gone through a downstream process to increase added value.

"In those negotiations, domestic regulations remain in place," Bahlil added.

Previously, PT Freeport Indonesia President Director Tony Wenas said he was still waiting for the details of the certainty of the export rate for mining products, especially copper to the United States (US).

"The details are not yet known. But earlier it was praised (by US President Donald Trump) that the quality of copper in Indonesia is good," Tony said when met at the Senayan Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday.

As previously reported, US President Donald Trump stated that Indonesia has high quality copper, following the announcement of a reduction in reciprocal rates from 32 percent to 19 percent.

"19 percent is definitely better than 32 percent. But this is still not final. Hopefully it can go down again," he said.

Following Trump's statement and a potential increase in copper production capacity for the US market, Tony said it was unlikely to be done.

Di Tambang tidak bisa, ketika ada permintaan kita meningkatkan kapasitas produksi. Tidak bisa seperti itu karena rencana induk (main plan) kita sudah direncanakan dengan memperhatikan daya dukungan, safety, ketersediaan, dan lain sebagainya, ujar Tony.