Inp.polri.go.id - Batam. The government plans to increase imports from the United States by around USD 18 to 19 billion as part of a strategy to address trade imbalances in upcoming reciprocal tariff negotiations with the U.S. under President Donald Trump's administration.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said on Monday (14/4/2025) that the move aims to offset Indonesia’s trade surplus with the U.S., which reached USD 14.34 billion in 2024.

“Indonesia will purchase goods from the U.S. based on domestic needs and without disrupting local production,” Minister Airlangga explained after a coordination meeting on trade policy, as reported by antaranews.com.

While specific commodities were not disclosed, he said that typical imports from the U.S. include wheat, soybeans, and possibly energy products such as LPG and LNG.

The negotiating delegation, led by Minister Airlangga and including Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, and other high-ranking officials, will meet U.S. counterparts from 16 to 23 April 2025 in Washington, D.C. Talks will involve the USTR, Department of Commerce, Department of State, and Treasury.

Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry, Susiwijono Moegiarso, confirmed the additional imports may be phased in gradually and are intended to narrow the U.S. trade deficit, which stood at USD 17.9 billion in 2024.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)