On US Reciprocal Tariffs, Prabowo Assures Prioritisation of National Interests
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has emphasised that the trade agreement policy between Indonesia and the United States (US) through the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) will not disrupt national interests.
Prabowo stated that the government has thoroughly considered all contents of the agreement, including the tariff reduction from 32 per cent to 19 per cent.
“You must believe that I prioritise Indonesia’s national interests. If I deem that any agreement threatens our national interests, then we can abandon it,” said Prabowo.
The Head of State added that Indonesia also receives special treatment from US President Donald Trump.
“In yesterday’s agreement, we agreed that if there are matters unsatisfactory to both parties or conflicting with our interests, then adjustment clauses will be created,” Prabowo revealed.
This is a privilege for Indonesia not possessed by other countries in similar agreements with the United States.
“As far as I know, clauses like this do not exist in agreements with other countries,” he added.
Furthermore, Prabowo said that Indonesia gains significant benefits from this agreement, including the application of zero per cent tariffs on 1,819 strategic national commodities such as coffee and palm oil.
“In this agreement, there are 1,819 of our commodities with zero per cent tariffs. This is certainly advantageous,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo reiterated that the government will act rationally and prioritise national benefits.
Previously reported, President Prabowo Subianto successfully agreed and signed the reciprocal tariff agreement or reciprocal tariffs (Agreement on Reciprocal Trade/ART) with the US after lengthy negotiations.
Through this agreement, Indonesia secures an average import tariff to the US of 19 per cent, down from the previous 32 per cent.
Additionally, Indonesia has also secured zero per cent tariffs for 1,819 tariff positions of products, both agricultural and industrial commodities, at 0 per cent.