JAKARTA - The Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moegiarso, stated that the government is promoting several product groups proposed for exemption from reciprocal tariffs on Indonesian exports to the United States (US).
He added that the products proposed for exemption from the 19 percent tariff include leading commodities such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, horticultural products, other agricultural products, as well as canned pineapples and meranti wood.
Susiwijono stated that the government is also promoting canned pineapples from Lampung, one of the largest exports to the US, with exports valued at up to US$100 million.
"So, it's a product that's unique to us and needed by the American people, that's what we're pushing, to zero. (The raw pineapple?) No, the canned ones. That's the world's largest export. (PT Great Giant Pineapple) GGPC in Lampung," he told the media on Thursday, August 28.
He added another example is meranti wood, which the US specifically requested for its industry.
"The demand is high. So they specifically requested meranti wood. If that's what we're asking for, it must be 0 percent," he emphasized.
Susiwijono explained that Indonesia's target is to fight for a 0 percent tariff on all commodities listed in the submitted proposal letter.
"We must focus on competitively superior products that only Indonesia possesses or controls. For example, rubber, which is only produced by a few countries. That way, our bargaining position will be stronger," he added.
Susiwijono emphasized that the government is serious about pursuing this, even holding online meetings at night with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs team, adjusting to Washington time.
He stated that Indonesia is in intensive communication with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding reciprocal tariffs on Indonesian exports to the United States.
"We've sent the list. Mr. Airlangga's official letter to the USTR and to (Commerce Secretary Howard) Lutnick. There are two letters," he said.
He added that his office, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is currently preparing a follow-up schedule for the negotiations and has begun initial online discussions with the USTR.
"For the past few days, even last night, we've been online. Online with the USTR. We're with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs first," said Susiwijono.
According to him, the negotiations are being held online because the USTR is still formulating a schedule due to the large number of requests from other countries. Nevertheless, online communication is still going well.
"However, when it comes to discussing the substance, that's what they will do. There's also a technical team there to handle this. We need to finalize the schedule for that. Then, in September, whether in the first or second week, we'll begin physical in-person visits," he added.
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