Indonesia to Submit Response on US Trade Investigation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has prepared a written response to the United States’ trade investigation, which will be submitted on 15 April 2026, in reference to the Section 301 policy of the US Trade Act targeting national exports. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that there are two main issues highlighted: excess production capacity and allegations of forced labour practices in the supply chain of products. “First, the US is applying Section 301 in trade, which involves investigating Indonesian exports. Two things: excess capacity, which is overproduction, and second, related to the import of raw materials linked to forced labour,” Airlangga said at his office on Monday. In response to the investigation, the government is now focusing on preparing an official answer before proceeding to the next stage of the investigation. “No, what is being discussed is excess capacity. For example, excess cement. Our cement has never been exported to America. So we just need to answer that,” he added. From the trade perspective, Trade Minister Budi Santoso conveyed that the government is preparing a submission comment document to be delivered no later than 15 April as an initial response to the investigation. “So on the 15th (April), we must submit regarding the initiation or Section 301 investigation. Everything has already been prepared; in general, there are no problems, and we are making defences, including that Indonesia has no policies that cause structural excess capacity,” Budi said.