BKPM Assures No Export of Raw Minerals Despite Indonesia-US Trade Agreement

The Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Coordinating Agency for Investment (BKPM) has assured that the government will not export raw critical minerals. This confirmation follows the signing of a reciprocal trade agreement on Thursday, February 19th.

Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, Todotua Pasaribu, stated that there are no issues regarding the trade agreement, which grants US companies access to Indonesia’s critical mineral sector. He explained that this access also applies to all countries in the world, with the condition that they must invest in Indonesia.

“Essentially, the US request to grant American businesses access to our mineral sectors, including rare earths, is not a problem. And everything we do, perhaps all countries do the same, as long as it is stipulated that if they want to enter, they must invest,” Todotua told reporters at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM office on Thursday, February 26th, 2026.

He also affirmed that the trade agreement with the US does not open the door to the export of raw minerals. Todotua stated that the ban on exporting raw minerals is regulated by law.

“Our country, by law, does not allow the export of our raw materials because there is a process, downstreaming, investment, and they are allowed to enter. It is just normal business-to-business,” he added.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that Indonesia is very open to cooperating with the US in managing the critical mineral sector.

“We have mentioned that our critical minerals are related to industrial minerals, meaning there is a secondary process, and Indonesia is open to investment and technology cooperation in both critical minerals and rare earths,” said Airlangga at a press conference regarding the signing of the Indonesia-United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement on Friday, February 20th, 2026.