Negotiating Trade Tariffs, Indonesia Increases Energy And Agricultural Imports From The United States

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia was actively communicating with a number of important US (US) officials such as the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of Treasury to negotiate the import rates set by President Donald Trump.

"Alhamdulillah, the response from the officials sent was relatively fast. We had a video zooming in on Monday with Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Howard Ludnick," he said in an online press conference, Friday, April 18.

Airlangga stated that the US responded positively to Indonesia's initiative to negotiate import rates and that Indonesia was one of the first countries to receive a response in an effort to strengthen trade relations.

"Indonesia is one of the countries that was received earlier. Several other countries have also established communication with the US government, including Vietnam, Japan, and Italy," he said.

Airlangga said that during the meeting, the two countries discussed various bilateral cooperation options between Indonesia and the United States so that they were expected to create fair and balanced trade relations.

Airlangga said that in these negotiations Indonesia submitted a number of proposals, including an increase in energy purchases from the US such as LPG, crude oil, and gas.

"From the discussion, there were several things proposed by Indonesia, as stated in the official letter, that Indonesia would increase the purchase of energy from the United States, including LPG, then also fuel oil, and gasoline," he said.

In addition, Indonesia also plans to import agricultural products such as wheat, soybeans, soybean milk, and increase the purchase of capital goods from the United States.

In addition, Airlangga said that Indonesia is also committed to facilitating investment in US companies that have been operating in Indonesia, including licensing and providing incentives.

Airlangga added that Indonesia also offers cooperation in strategic minerals or critical minerals management and simplification of import procedures, including horticultural products from the US.