House Commission I Urges Measured Response to Trump's 20% Hormuz Tariff

Deputy Chairman of House Commission I Dave Laksono has urged the Indonesian government to respond calmly and measuredly to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 20 per cent tariff on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. “Indonesia needs to address this development calmly, measuredly, and by adhering to the principle of a free and active foreign policy,” Dave said when contacted on Wednesday (15/7/2026). He assessed that any policy potentially affecting international shipping lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz as one of the world’s most strategic trade and energy distribution routes, warrants scrutiny. According to him, the policy’s impact could affect global economic stability, including supply chains, energy prices, and international trade flows. “From an international law perspective, Indonesia consistently supports freedom of navigation in international sea lanes as stipulated under the law of the sea regime. Therefore, any policy that potentially restricts or unilaterally imposes costs on global trade traffic should be discussed through applicable multilateral mechanisms and with reference to international law, not through unilateral action,” Dave said. Dave expressed hope that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to monitor the development of the tariff set by Trump. He also reminded that Indonesia’s response must be based on a thorough assessment. “The government’s official stance should be conveyed based on the results of a mature study while prioritising constructive diplomacy. Thus, any steps taken will have a strong basis and reflect Indonesia’s consistency in maintaining international peace and stability,” he stated. Furthermore, he said the government also needs to anticipate the potential economic impact, particularly on energy supplies, logistics costs, and trade activities. Therefore, cross-ministerial coordination must be strengthened to prepare mitigation measures should geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East begin to exert pressure on the national economy. “In principle, Indonesia must continue to encourage the resolution of any issue through dialogue and diplomacy, while ensuring international shipping lanes remain safe and open for global trade interests. This stance is in line with Indonesia’s position as a maritime nation that consistently supports the creation of peace, stability, and rules-based international governance,” he said. US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would reimpose a blockade on all Iranian ports and set a 20 per cent tariff on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. “The Strait of Hormuz is OPEN and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reimposing a BLOCKADE on Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, as reported by Reuters on Tuesday (14/7). Trump said the 20 per cent tariff was imposed as reimbursement for the US military’s efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian forces. “The United States… will be reimbursed, at a rate of 20% of all cargo shipped, for the costs necessary to guarantee the safety and security of this highly volatile region of the world,” he said.