Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno said on Monday (7/4/2025) that the current vacancy in the Indonesian ambassador post to the US will not affect upcoming high-level tariff negotiations with Washington.

He said that the delegation, led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, is capable of conducting high-level talks with US officials. 

“These are high-level negotiations,” Deputy Foreign Minister Havas said, as reported by antaranews.com.

He explained the ambassador position remains unfilled due to Indonesia’s recent government transition. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic the negotiations will proceed smoothly, though it is too early to predict outcomes regarding US tariff concessions.

Indonesia has prepared several negotiation packages ahead of the discussions on reciprocal tariffs in Washington, D.C.

Minister Airlangga has said that diplomacy is the preferred route, avoiding retaliatory action. Prior to engaging the US, Indonesia will first meet with ASEAN leaders on 10 April 2025 to coordinate a joint stance.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)