Reciprocal Tariff Not Certain, Minister of Finance Waiting for American Attitude

Jakarta - Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has not confirmed the government's steps regarding reciprocal tariffs. He only said that the government would take another step next week.

Reciprocal tariffs are tariffs in trade. In the case of Indonesia, the United States had previously set a tariff of 32 percent for a number of Indonesian products before it dropped to 19 percent after the negotiation process. However, the policy later became uncertain after the US Supreme Court questioned its legal basis.

"Later there will be other steps we will take. Next week," said Purbaya at Halim Perdanakusumah Air Base, Jakarta, Monday (18/5).

When reporters mentioned the reciprocal tariff which was said to have been 90 days since it was set on February 16, Purbaya said the situation in the United States was not completely certain.

"There are still there, in America it's still not too serious," he said.

Purbaya also alluded to the US Supreme Court's decision regarding the policy. However, he did not elaborate further.

"That is the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court said it was not allowed," said the Minister of Finance.

According to Purbaya, Indonesia will follow developments in the United States. He assessed that Indonesia would not be harmed if the policy was immediately implemented.

"I don't know, we should follow America. But if you ask me, we shouldn't lose, we should be executed immediately. But we'll wait there, like what," he said.

Purbaya suggested that more technical questions regarding reciprocal tariffs be directed to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.

"You ask the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, he knows better," he said.