Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Minister of Trade Budi Santoso confirmed on Friday (20/2/2026) that implementing zero-percent tariffs on specific agricultural imports from the United States will not disrupt domestic industries. 

Instead, the policy, which is part of the new Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), targets essential raw materials like soybeans, wheat, and cotton that Indonesia cannot produce in sufficient quantities.

"Most of these commodities are industrial necessities; if we do not facilitate these imports, it will actually burden our local sectors," Minister Budi explained during a press conference in Jakarta, as reported by antaranews.com 

He noted that by lowering import costs, the government aims to reduce production expenses for vital food products such as tofu, tempeh, and noodles. This move is expected to keep retail prices affordable for the public while securing a steady supply chain for the food and beverage industry.

Economic officials believe the reciprocal deal strengthens national food security without compromising local farmers, as these specific high-demand crops remain primarily import-dependent.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)