The Indonesian Presidential Communication Office stated on Thursday (3/4), President Prabowo Subianto has rolled out three strategies to deal with latest global trade dynamics, including the imposition of US import tariffs. According to the Office’s Deputy Head for Dissemination and Information Media, Noudhy Valdryno, first, Indonesia will further expand and deepen its trade partnerships. Examples include Indonesia’s participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and membership in BRICS, but also finalisation of trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), EU-Indonesia CEPA, and Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union (I-EAEU CEPA), to complement the already existing agreements with Australia, Chile, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, and United Arab Emirates. Second, Indonesia will continue accelerating natural resources downstreaming. The establishment of BPI Danantara was meant to speed up this downstreaming ambition. Third, the government strives to strengthen the people's purchasing power through programmes, which directly affect people's welfare, including the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (CMEA) and Foreign Ministry jointly stated that the US reciprocal tariff will have a significant impact on the competitiveness of Indonesia's exports to the US. Indonesia's main export products in the US market include palm oil, electronics, textiles and textile products, footwear, rubber, furniture, shrimp and marine fisheries products. The Indonesian government will immediately calculate the impact of the imposition of US tariffs on these sectors and the Indonesian economy as a whole. Indonesia will continue to communicate with the US Government, including sending a high-level delegation to Washington DC to conduct direct negotiations. Furthermore, Susiwijono Moegiarso, the Secretary of CMEA, said that Indonesia has also reached out to Malaysia as the current Chair of ASEAN for possibility of taking joint steps, and added that communication with neighboring countries is necessary, considering that all 10 ASEAN Member States (MS) are affected by the new U.S. policy.  Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Anggawira, has called on the government to fast-track trade agreements with the EU, Middle East, and Africa. This move aims to diversify Indonesia’s export markets and reduce reliance on the United States. He emphasised that expanding export destinations through trade agreements is a critical medium-term strategy. Expanding trade targets can also be achieved by optimising the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. Meanwhile, in the short term, the government should focus on maintaining market stability and investor confidence. This includes financial market interventions and stimulus packages to support businesses affected by the tariff hike. Likewise, the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) has emphasised the importance of diversifying export markets, suggesting an accelerated push for trade agreements such as the IEU-CEPA, in addition to pushing for bilateral agreements with the US to ensure that Indonesia can obtain the best and most competitive market access.Source:https://en.antaranews.com/news/350577/trump-slaps-indonesia-with-32-percent-tariff?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=top_news (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: ANTARA NEWS, 3 April 2025