Robert Besser
17 Apr 2025, 11:38 GMT+10
JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesia is preparing a high-level visit to Washington with an ambitious offer to avert steep U.S. tariffs on its exports.
Top Indonesian officials will present proposals to increase imports from the United States and push forward investment plans as part of ongoing trade negotiations. The delegation, led by Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, will also include Foreign Ministry representatives.
The visit comes after President Donald Trump's administration imposed a 32% tariff on Indonesian goods, a move currently paused for 90 days to allow room for talks.
Airlangga confirmed that meetings will be held with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Susiwijono Moegiarso, a senior official at the coordinating ministry for economic affairs, said Indonesia would propose buying U.S. goods worth US$18 to $19 billion to offset the trade deficit.
Government data shows that Indonesia posted a $16.8 billion trade surplus with the United States last year, making the U.S. its third-largest export market. Indonesia's top exports include electronics, footwear, and apparel.
Todotua Pasaribu, deputy minister for investment, said the country may also suggest that its state-owned firms invest in strategic U.S. sectors such as oil, gas, and information technology.
"Strategically, we will look at what we can invest there that later we can absorb for our national interest," Pasaribu said.
The trade discussions follow weeks of tariff-related uncertainty and come as Indonesia seeks to protect access to its largest markets while exploring new avenues for economic partnership.
By proposing a combination of trade balancing and direct investment, Indonesian officials hope to persuade Washington to lift or reduce the punitive measures that could hit major sectors of the country's export economy.
The outcome of the meetings could determine whether the temporary tariff pause becomes permanent — or if Indonesian exports will face higher duties when the 90-day window closes.
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