Prabowo in Russia: Trade Frequently Used as a Weapon

Vladivostok, CNBC Indonesia - President Prabowo Subianto spoke regarding the fragmented state of global geopolitics and how trade is currently being utilised as a weapon by certain nations. This was conveyed by Prabowo during his speech at the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on Thursday (3/9/2026).

“We meet at a difficult time. Currently, trade is frequently used as a weapon,” Prabowo stated in his address.

According to him, the current geopolitical conditions are driving changes within global supply chains.

“Supply chains are being reshaped based on suspicion. Finance is being fragmented based on geography,” said Prabowo.

The Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) assessed that these conditions should instead serve as a reason for nations to build more avenues for cooperation. Such cooperation can be implemented across various sectors, ranging from food, energy, and science to logistics and trade.

“Precisely because the world is fragmenting, every bridge built here in the fields of food, energy, science, logistics, and trade serves as a practical answer,” Prabowo remarked.

Cannot Depend on a Single Financial System

During the event, Prabowo also emphasised the importance of resilience within the global financial system. He argued that the world should not rely solely on a single system or financial architecture.

“We must not depend on a single financial architecture because if one system is disrupted, other systems must remain capable of facilitating the flow of funds that keep trade moving,” he said.

He assessed that the existence of reliable payment and transaction settlement channels is a crucial factor in maintaining the smoothness of international trade.

“Without reliable payment and transaction settlement channels, trade itself could become paralysed,” said Prabow.

However, Prabowo clarified that this idea is not intended to replace one financial system with another.

“Rather, it is to ensure that other global financial systems can operate alongside existing arrangements to maintain continuity, stability, and trust in international trade,” he explained.