RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Trade Minister Budi Santoso has set a target to boost Indonesia’s textile exports to the United States, citing the country’s favorable trade agreements with Washington.

He outlined the plan during a visit to an international textile exhibition in Central Jakarta, noting that the US remains Indonesia’s main trading partner and contributes the largest trade surplus to national foreign exchange reserves.

“Our exports to the US are valued at USD 30 billion, with a surplus of USD 18.1 billion, the largest Indonesia has with any country,” Minister Budi said at JIEXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The government continues to pursue market opportunities in the US through various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). “Our export market share to the US accounts for 11 percent of total global exports,” he added.

The Trade Ministry is also strengthening the domestic textile industry to curb the influx of imported products.

Minister Budi said Indonesia’s textile ecosystem is already well-developed, supported by abundant raw materials. “Our domestic market is large and well-supplied by local producers. In terms of raw materials, we have plenty. I believe our ecosystem is the most complete,” he said.

He acknowledged that geopolitical tensions between Iran and the United States have affected global industry dynamics but expressed confidence in Indonesia’s resilience.

Minister Budi said he had spoken directly with textile entrepreneurs about their competitiveness in international markets. “I asked them directly, and they assured me they are capable of competing with foreign products,” he said. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)