Puan Highlights Trade War In The Aftermath Of Trump's Policy That Must Be Anticipated

The Plenary Meeting of the DPR RI was held at the parliament complex, Jakarta, Thursday (17/4/2025). BETWEEN/Good Ahmad Rizaldi

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, alluded to the trade war triggered by the reciprocal tariff policy of the President of the United States (US) Donald Trump which had an impact on the global supply chain, the rupiah exchange rate against the dollar, and the risk of slowing global economic growth.

This highlight was conveyed by Puan in her speech read by the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, during the opening of the Trial Period III for the 2023-2024 Session Year, the DPR RI was held at the Plenary Meeting at Nusantara II Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, April 17.

Puan herself was unable to attend the Plenary Meeting today because she was attending an international forum in Istanbul, Turkey, regarding Palestine. Puan will attend the Meeting of the Group of Parliaments in Support of Palestine with the Speakers of Parliament from Palestinian supporting countries, including the leaders and representatives of the Palestinian parliament.

In the opening speech of the trial period, Puan said that currently Indonesia is facing economic challenges that must immediately get the best solution.

"We are faced with global economic challenges that are in turmoil, trade tariff wars, geopolitical conflicts that are still high, and other global dynamics, which can have an impact on domestic conditions both economically, socially and culturally," said Puan in her speech read by Dasco.

Puan said that the current global challenges require the right policies from the government and ensure that the DPR will help the government to make policies that protect national interests in facing all the challenges that exist.

"These things are increasingly needed by the State's Policy to be able to protect people's lives, maintain the sustainability of the national economy, and ensure that national development continues," he said.

"The DPR RI through its constitutional function will help strengthen the state policies needed for the Implementation of State Governments to safeguard and protect national interests in facing various national development challenges," continued Puan.

During the third trial period in 2024-2025, Puan said that the DPR had set a priority for discussing 8 Draft Laws (RUU) which are currently in the stage of Level I Discussions, namely: 3 Bills proposed by the DPR RI, 3 Bills proposed by the Government and 2 Open Cumulative Bills.

In addition, there are 12 other bills that are proposed by the DPR RI and will soon enter the stages of Level I Discussions. In the formation of the Law, Puan said that the DPR together with the Government will be serious in fulfilling formal requirements that have been regulated by laws and regulations so that the resulting law has strong legitimacy.

Puan ensured that the DPR together with the government would be transparent and involve public participation in the discussion of each existing bill.

"So that the resulting law has valid legitimacy as law for national interests," he said.

Puan also said that the DPR would also start talks on the Priority of the RAPBN for Fiscal Year 2026. In her speech, Puan emphasized that the RAPBN was not only an instrument of development, but also had to be an economic defense tool in the midst of a dynamic geopolitical and geoeconomic situation.

"RAPBN for Fiscal Year 2026 must be a fiscal shield as well as a transformational motor that is in favor of the people, based on economic independence, and strong in facing global dynamics," explained Puan.

Furthermore, Bung Karno's grandson ensured that the DPR would continue to carry out its supervisory functions on strategic issues relevant to the needs of the people, and ensure the implementation of policies to run optimally. This, said Puan, will be implemented through commissions and board equipment in the DPR.

Puan also highlighted the importance of the state to immediately fill the position of Indonesian ambassador to friendly countries that are currently empty, including for the United States.

"The absence of the head of diplomatic representatives can slow down strategic steps in protecting Indonesian citizens and strengthening Indonesia's position in the global arena," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

In the field of parliamentary diplomacy, the Indonesian House of Representatives is said to be receiving a delegation from the Polish Parliament, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and the European Parliamentional International Trade Committee. Indonesia will also host the 19th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC).

Puan said the DPR through its diplomatic function would seek to improve cooperation between parliaments through a series of bilateral and multilateral activities.

"By saying bismillahirrahmanir-rahim, on behalf of the leadership of the DPR RI, I hereby announce to all Indonesian people that the Session Period III of the DPR RI for the 2024 '2025 Session Year will start from today, Thursday, April 17, 2025 to Monday, June 23, 2025," said Puan.

Puan invites all members of the council to work as well as possible for the people during this trial.

"Let us, the DPR RI, during this III trial period, can produce state policies that can protect the people, enliven the people, educate the people, and participate in building a better world order," concluded Puan.