Video: Securing the Textile–Seafood Industry, Indonesia's Aim to Negotiate Trade with the US

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The Indonesian government and the United States have officially signed a trade agreement contained in the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), or the Reciprocal Trade Agreement ‘Toward a New Golden Age for the US-Indonesia Alliance’. Deputy Chair of the National Economic Council (DEN), Mari Elka Pangestu, said that the RI–US trade agreement signing on 19 February 2026 is part of the government’s effort to safeguard labour-intensive industries, because without negotiation Indonesian-origin goods could face a 32% tariff. This matters because the labour-intensive sectors—textiles, apparel, furniture and seafood—rely heavily on the US market. If they are not negotiated, the impact on these industries would be significant, including on employment. Regarding the 104% tariff on Indonesian-made solar panels entering the US, Pangestu said this reflected a surge in demand for Indonesian solar panels due to shifts from China and Vietnam, and should be addressed prudently by the Indonesian government. To understand the urgency and impact of the RI–US trade agreement, watch the dialogue between Syarifah Rahma and Mari Elka Pangestu on Squawk Box CNBC Indonesia on Friday, 27 February 2026.