Indonesia Prepares Evidence to Face US Trade Investigation

The government has prepared robust argumentation and evidence to face the United States’ investigation into trade practices of several countries, including Indonesia. This step follows the US conducting an inquiry based on Section 301 as a continuation of trade cooperation with various nations. The investigation under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 targets policies or actions of several countries deemed to engage in unfair trade practices or harm US economic interests. This inquiry relates to structural excess capacity and production in the manufacturing sector. “The Indonesian government has sought to anticipate from the outset that the preparation of requirements in this investigation will be handled well,” stated Spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy Haryo Limanseto in an official statement on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. This investigation targets certain foreign economic actions, policies, and practices suspected of creating or maintaining excess capacity and structural production in the manufacturing sector. Additionally, it concerns the failure to effectively enforce prohibitions on importing goods produced using forced labour. According to Haryo, both issues have already been addressed in the reciprocal trade agreement document, known as the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). “Therefore, the most important thing now is that we are preparing arguments that Indonesia has implemented or has provisions to secure those matters,” he said. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the investigation on 11 March 2026. “This investigation will determine whether those actions, policies, and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict US commerce,” read a written statement from the official White House website. The countries subject to this investigation are China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.