Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  Minister of Trade Budi Santoso is closely monitoring the potential impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff hikes on Indonesian exports, emphasizing the need for preemptive measures to safeguard trade stability.

“We are assessing Trump’s tariff policy to determine the necessary steps. Our goal is to minimize any negative impact on Indonesia,” he said on Tuesday (18/3/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

Indonesia ranks as the 15th largest contributor to the U.S. trade deficit, with significant exports to the country while importing relatively less. The government is working to maintain balanced trade relations and ensure Indonesia’s market access remains unaffected, according to antaranews.com.

Minister Budi Santoso noted that while the situation remains stable, vigilance is necessary as the U.S. is set to announce its policy on 1 April 2025. Recent discussions with the U.S. ambassador provided insights into the rationale behind the tariffs, reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong trade ties between both nations.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)