Palace Reveals Prabowo's Opportunity To Meet Trump Lobby For 32 Percent Import Rates

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received a telephone call from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on Thursday (12/6/2025) night. BETWEEN/HO-Biro Press of the Presidential Secretariat/aa. (Handout Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi revealed the possibility of President Prabowo Subianto meeting directly with the President of the United States (US) Donald Trump in order to negotiate the tariff policy imposed on Indonesia by 32 percent.

"There is (probably a plan to meet Trump), but I can't confirm when," said Prasetyo at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Friday, July 11, which was confiscated by Antara.

Prasetyo said the meeting of the two leaders of the country had not yet been scheduled. Currently, President Prabowo is traveling to a number of countries for two weeks, starting from Saudi Arabia and Brazil, then continuing to Belgium and France.

Prasetyo further said that the government through the negotiator team led by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto was in the United States to negotiate.

The main purpose of the negotiations, he said, was to encourage a review of the US tariff policy to make Indonesia's trade more profitable.

"Yes, we hope that we really hope that the American government can consider it. But that's why we are waiting, please pray from all Indonesian people so that the negotiator team can provide the best results for our nation and country," said Prasetyo.

Regarding speculation linking the US import tariff policy with Indonesia's membership in the BRICS group, Prasetyo considered it unrelated.

"The 32 percent tariff is also long before we are declared members of BRICS. I don't think it has anything to do with it," said Prasetyo.

It is known that US President Donald Trump decided to continue to impose a 32 percent import rate on Indonesia, not changing from the "reciprocal rate" previously announced in April, although the negotiation process with the Indonesian side continued intensively.

Spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Haryo Limanseto explained that there is still room for further negotiations and the Indonesian government still has room to continue negotiations so that the tariff burden can be reduced.

"That's why we think that we still have a chance to discuss it again. Well, then the US side also said that they would respond, so this (defense) is not final," said Haryo in a media briefing at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy Office, Jakarta, Wednesday 9 July.

Currently, Coordinating Minister Airlangga who leads the Indonesian negotiating team is in Washington DC to continue the negotiation process. Airlangga is scheduled to meet with a number of top US officials, including Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Head of United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson total, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

"Because there is still room to respond as stated by the US Government, the Indonesian Government will optimize the opportunities available to safeguard national interests in the future," said Haryo.