Indonesia–US Trade Agreement: Halal Products Remain a Non-Negotiable Condition, says Airlangga

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government reiterates that the halal status of products remains a core principle in every Indonesian trade agreement, including the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesia and the United States. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that bilateral trade cooperation must align with national regulations on the Halal Product Assurance (JPH) and consumer protection. ‘Halal status is non-negotiable, especially for food and beverages entering Indonesia. There is also a halal mechanism through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) already acknowledged by Indonesia. Therefore, goods, particularly food and beverages, are guaranteed halal,’ Airlangga said in Jakarta on Tuesday (3 March 2026). Under this mechanism, Indonesia recognises halal certificates issued by foreign halal bodies in the US, provided the bodies are recognised and accredited by the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH). Currently there are five halal organisations in the United States that have secured a Recognition Agreement from BPJPH, namely IFANCA, AHF, ISA, HTO, and ISWA through the Halal Certification Department. Airlangga also said that Indonesia has an MRA scheme with around 38 countries. Under this scheme, products certified halal by recognised bodies can enter Indonesia directly without re-certification. For agricultural products, particularly meat and slaughtered products, Indonesia accepts slaughter practices from the US that comply with Islamic law or the SMIIC standards (Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries) under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). These standards have harmonised halal and metrology rules globally. BPJPH is said to have conducted direct audits of halal bodies in the United States to ensure compliance with the standards. ‘Of course, the government remains committed to coordinating with the Indonesian Ulema Council as the main umbrella for halal status in Indonesia,’ Airlangga said.