Pelindo Says International Container Flows Are Increasing Amid Fear Of Trump's Import Tariffs

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) or Pelindo revealed that the flow of international containers increased until May 2025.

This rating occurs amid fears regarding the 32 percent reciprocal tariff that will be imposed by the President of the United States (US) Donald Trump.

Pelindo's Managing Director, Putut Sri Muljanto, said that the flow of international containers at Tanjung Priok Port had increased by around 7.8 percent until May 2025. Meanwhile, on an annual basis, it experienced a growth of 5.9 percent.

"As of May this year, the flow of international containers, such as at Tanjung Priok Port itself, has increased by around 7.8 percent, while nationally it has also grown by around 5.9 percent yoy," he told VOI, Thursday, July 10.

Putut also said that his party had not seen the impact of the plan to implement US reciprocal rates on international cargo flow traffic. Especially, in ports operated by Pelindo.

"So far, PT Pelindo has not seen the impact of the tariff on the number of international cargo flows in the ports it operates," he said.

Even so, Putut said that the impact of the implementation of US reciprocal tariffs on the number of international cargo flows in the future is also very dependent on Indonesia's economic growth.

"In the future, the influence will depend on Indonesia's economic growth," he said.

US Still Applies 32 Percent Reciprocal Tariff

Previously, it was reported that the United States (US) continued to impose a reciprocal import rate of 32 percent for products from Indonesia, which will take effect on August 1, 2025.

United States President Donald Trump said that this policy was called a firm step to correct a trade deficit that was considered unsustainable and detrimental to America's economy and national security.

Starting August 1, 2025, we will charge 32 percent of all Indonesian products entering the United States, apart from all other sectoral tariffs. Goods that are forwarded through third countries to avoid higher tariffs will also be subject to these rates," he explained in a letter circulating, Tuesday, July 8.

Trump also emphasized that the 32 percent tariff could be increased if Indonesia increased the return rate, but was open to lowering if Indonesia opened its market and removed various trade barriers.

"Please understand that this tariff is a necessary measure to improve inequality over the years due to tariff and non-tariff policies as well as trade barriers from Indonesia, which causes the trade deficit to be unsustainable towards the United States," he explained.

According to him, the 32 percent reciprocal tariff rate is actually much lower than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit owned by Indonesia.