Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has affirmed that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade between Indonesia and the United States is a bilateral mechanism rooted in Indonesia’s independent and active (bebas-aktif) foreign policy. 

Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said on Friday (27/2/2026) that all international cooperation is conducted based solely on national interests, without aligning with specific geopolitical blocs.

"The ART will not alter our political principles; bebas-aktif remains our compass," she said during a media briefing in Jakarta as reported by antaranews.com

The statement addressed reactions from Beijing concerning the potential for Indonesia to align its import restrictions with those of the U.S. toward other trading partners. 

Yvonne clarified that the ART is a bilateral tool designed to strengthen Indonesia's economic position and does not target third parties. She reiterated Indonesia's commitment to expanding mutually beneficial partnerships with all nations, including maintaining strong economic ties with China as a strategic partner.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)