Indonesia Posts Trade Surplus with US in January 2026, but Deficit Against China

Indonesia’s trade balance maintained a surplus for 69 consecutive months, with January 2026 recording a trade surplus of US$960 million.

According to Ateng Hartono, Deputy for Statistics Distribution and Services at the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the trade surplus in January 2026 was supported by surpluses in trade balances with three countries: the United States, India, and the Philippines.

With the United States, Indonesia posted a trade surplus of US$1.55 billion, an increase from US$1.34 billion recorded in January 2025. Trade with India yielded a surplus of US$1.07 billion, up from the previous figure of US$750 million, whilst trade with the Philippines recorded a surplus of US$690 million, declining from US$730 million.

“The United States is the country contributing the largest surplus to the overall trade balance,” Ateng stated during a press conference at BPS headquarters in Jakarta on Monday, 2 March 2026.

Beyond these three nations, Indonesia also maintained trade surpluses with the ASEAN region at US$570 million, a substantial increase from the previous US$190 million. Similarly, trade with the European Union recorded a surplus of US$520 million, up from US$470 million.

Indonesia’s largest trade deficit in January 2026 was with China, reaching US$2.47 billion, a significant increase from US$1.69 billion previously. Trade deficits also emerged with Australia at US$960 million, compared to the prior figure of US$210 million.

A similar situation occurred with France, where Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of US$470 million in January 2026, a substantial jump from only US$20 million in January 2025.

The three countries contributing the deepest deficits were China at US$2.47 billion, Australia at US$960 million, and France at US$470 million.