JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the government would not sacrifice national interests in every policy-making, including in the trade agreement Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesia and the United States (US).
"You have to believe that I prioritize Indonesia's national interests. If I assess that our national interests are threatened by any agreement, then we can leave it," said Prabowo in the "Prabowo Answers" broadcast, quoted from Antara, Sunday, March 22.
According to Prabowo, all the contents of the agreement have gone through various mature considerations before the government agreed to it. One of the main points in the cooperation is the reduction of trade tariffs from 32 percent to 19 percent.
He said Indonesia also received special treatment from US President Donald Trump, including an adjustment clause in the agreement.
"In yesterday's agreement, we agreed that if there are things that are not agreeable to both parties or contrary to our interests, then an adjustment clause will be made," said Prabowo.
The clause, he continued, gives Indonesia flexibility to renegotiate if the agreement is later judged to be detrimental to domestic interests. He also emphasized that this privilege is not owned by other countries in similar agreements with the United States.
In terms of trade, Indonesia is said to have gained significant benefits. A total of 1,819 national strategic commodities have access to the US market with zero percent tariffs.
Flagship products such as coffee and palm oil are included in the list of commodities. The removal of tariff barriers is considered to provide benefits for national producers and exporters.
Regarding comparisons with other countries, Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia would remain rational in making decisions and not immediately follow the steps of other countries in canceling trade agreements without careful calculation.
He ensured that every economic diplomacy policy taken by the government would always be based on the interests and benefits of the Indonesian people.
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