Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Following the implementation of the United States (US) Reciprocal Tariff Policy announced by President Donald Trump, several countries have simultaneously responded with efforts to mitigate the impact of the policy. Nevertheless, the US government has announced a 90-day delay in the enforcement of the Reciprocal Tariff, which is now postponed until June 9, 2025.
In line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive, the Indonesian government will engage in direct diplomacy and negotiations concerning the policy. An Indonesian delegation will conduct a working visit to the US from April 16–23, 2025, to meet with key US officials, including the US Trade Representative (USTR), the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Commerce.
“Indonesia is one of the first countries to be invited to Washington. This is, of course, based on what has already been conveyed by the Indonesian government,” said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto during a Limited Coordination Meeting on Preparations for the Meeting with the US Government regarding Trade Tariffs at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, as stated in a press release on Monday (April 14).
Furthermore, Minister Airlangga added that the Indonesian government had previously sent formal letters to the Secretary of Commerce, USTR, and Secretary of the Treasury. As part of the diplomatic preparations, Indonesia has also prepared a comprehensive non-paper proposal addressing tariffs, Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs), trade and investment cooperation, and the financial sector.
On this occasion, Airlangga also mentioned Indonesia’s plan to offset the trade balance gap in exports and imports with the US by purchasing certain American products. In addition, the Indonesian government will also discuss American company investments in Indonesia, as well as Indonesian companies planning to invest in the US.
Aside from preparing for the diplomatic efforts with the US, the Coordination Meeting also discussed directives from President Prabowo Subianto regarding the Task Force on Layoffs (Satgas PHK) and expanding job opportunities, which are currently being finalized, along with the Deregulation Task Force.
“All of this is proceeding in parallel, and we hope that in the near future we can issue policies from the Layoffs and Deregulation Task Forces — we are looking for low-hanging fruit in the form of practical policy packages,” concluded Minister Airlangga.
Among those attending the meeting were the Minister of Trade, the Chairman of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Investment, and the Deputy Chair of the National Energy Council (DEN).
