Regarding Trump's Policy, Prabowo: We Will Be Hit By Any Tariffs, We Will Negotiate

Presiden Prabowo Subianto menghadiri acara peluncuran Geranam Indonesia Menanam (Gerina) di Kabupaten Banyuasin, Sumatera Selatan, Rabu (23/4/2025). ANTARA/HO-BPMI Sekretariat Presiden.

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto stated that he respects the import tariff policy of the United States (US) set by US President Donald Trump. However, the head of state believes in Indonesia's ability to stand on its own feet.

Therefore, along with negotiations between Indonesia and the US, President Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia is also focused on building its ability to survive, including by realizing domestic food security.

"We are hit by any tariff, we will negotiate and negotiate. We respect it. However, we believe in our own strength. Even if they do not open their market to us, we will survive, we will be stronger, we will stand on our own feet," said President Prabowo when giving a speech at the launch of the Planting Indonesia Movement (Gerina) in Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, Wednesday, April 23, confiscated by Antara.

The President continued that he is optimistic that Indonesia will be able to build strength in all fields, including to self-sufficiency in food and produce many food barns in the country.

We will never give up. We will never get down on our knees. We will never beg. We will never beg (fteen) to pity others. No need to be pitied! The Indonesian nation does not need to be pitied, "said the President.

US President Donald Trump set a 10 percent basic import rate to all countries, and a reciprocal import rate to a number of countries including Indonesia at 32 percent.

However, the US Government is currently setting a moratorium for the imposition of reciprocal rates to many countries, including Indonesia, for 90 days.

The Indonesian government has sent a negotiating team to negotiate on the determination of the reciprocal import tariff, led by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. In Washington D. C., Coordinating Minister Airlangga met with US Trade Minister Howard Lutnick and Head of the US Trade Office (USTR) Jamieson

The Indonesian delegation, led by Coordinating Minister Airlangga, and the US delegation agreed to discuss tariff negotiations intensively for the next 60 days starting Sunday (20/4). The issues discussed in the negotiations include import licensing, digital trade, and Customs Duty on Electronic Transmissions (CDET), pre-shipment inspections, surveyor obligations, as well as domestic component level provisions (TKDN) for the industrial sector. Other issues discussed, namely the implementation of the resiprocal rate, and strengthening market access of the two countries.

In his meeting with Lutnick, Airlangga made a number of Indonesian offers to the US, including that Indonesia was willing to buy LPG, gasoline, crude oil from the US.

"Indonesia also plans to buy agricultural products, including wheat, soybeans, soybean milk, and Indonesia will also increase the purchase of capital goods from America," Airlangga said during a press conference in Washington DC last week.

Indonesia has become several countries received by the US to negotiate the imposition of reciprocal rates. Apart from Indonesia, the US is also currently negotiating with Vietnam, Japan, and Italy.