Facing The Trade Tariff War, Airlangga Said RI Will Send A Negotiation Team To The US Tomorrow

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia would send a delegation to the United States (US) to discuss the import duty tariff of 32 percent imposed on Indonesia by the US President, Donald Trump.

As a follow-up, the Indonesian delegation consisting of a number of ministers and officials will depart for Washington DC from April 16 to 23.

Airlangga said he would hold a meeting with the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Ministry of Trade (Secretary of Commerce), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretary of State), and the Ministry of US Finance (Secretary of Treasury).

He conveyed that the visit would be attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Deputy Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Mari Elka Pangestu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Djiwandono.

In addition, this visit also coincided with the IMF and World Bank's Spring Meetings (Spring Meeting).

"So we will meet with USTR, with the Secretary of Commerce, Minister of Secretary of State, fan Secretary of Treasury. Now today the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs will also go to Washington DC, then tomorrow Mrs. Mari and I will leave. And with Mr. Thomas Djiwandono, Mr. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs will also depart," he told the media crew, Monday, April 14.

"Similarly, the Minister of Finance will depart. This is also related to the spring meeting rather than the World Bank, IMF World Bank. And we understand that Indonesia is subject to a rate of 32 percent and is now 90 days in the hold," he added.

Airlangga said Indonesia was one of the countries that had the first opportunity to be invited to negotiate tariffs with the US.

"So this is of course based on what has been conveyed by the Indonesian government. Where we have written, the President's direction is written to three ministries," he explained.

Airlangga explained that Indonesia has prepared comprehensive non-paper documents including tariff issues, non-tariff barriers, investments, and proposals for bilateral cooperation outside the trade sector, including the financial sector.

In addition, Airlangga said that Indonesia is also preparing compensation for the difference in export and import value (delta) which reached 18-19 billion US dollars.