Jokowi on Talks at the Presidential Palace Tuesday Night

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo revealed the topics discussed at a meeting of a number of former presidents and former vice-presidents with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday night, 3 March 2026. According to Jokowi, two major issues were explained by Prabowo in the forum: Indonesia’s participation in the Board of Peace (BOP) forum and Indonesia–United States trade tariff policy. First, regarding the BOP. He said it is important for Indonesia to be within that forum to build a good dialogue so that the world becomes more peaceful,” Jokowi told reporters at his residence in Sumber, Banjarsari District, Solo, Central Java, on Friday, 6 March 2026. “Additionally, Jokowi said Prabowo explained the tariff policy between Indonesia and the United States. Jokowi revealed that most trade commodities actually carry zero tariffs.”Secondly, regarding tariffs, it was explained that tariffs are mostly zero per cent. About 1,800 commodity items are tariff-free,” he said. According to Jokowi, this information has not been widely known among the public. He assessed the policy is important because it can spur an increase in Indonesia’s exports to the United States. “Tariffs are mostly zero per cent because there are about 1,800 commodity items granted zero-tariff status. This is not widely known by the public. This is important for us so that our exports to the United States increase further. Because we already run a surplus with the United States, around US$18 billion,” he said. At the meeting, Jokowi added that the figures and opinions were also conveyed to President Prabowo. He said the discussion was open and constructive. Among those present were former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; former Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla (the 10th and 12th), Boediono, and Ma’ruf Amin; as well as several party leaders and former foreign ministers. Also present were leaders of political parties within the Koalisi Indonesia Maju Plus, including Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Zulkifli Hasan, Surya Paloh, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, and Bahlil Lahadalia. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), a non-coalition party, was represented by Puan Maharani. Cabinet Secretary Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Indra Wijaya said the meeting was aimed at discussing the geopolitical situation. “To discuss, to foster goodwill. The President wants to exchange views with the leaders,” he said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday. The meeting also included businesspeople such as Anindya Bakrie and Shinta Kamdani, as well as several ministers from the Red and White Cabinet.