Indonesia and US Begin Discussions on Reciprocal Tariffs

KBRN, Washington D.C.: The Indonesian government’s import tariff negotiation team began discussing the issue with the US government, started with a meeting between Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono and US State Secretary Marco Rubio on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

US President Donald Trump imposed a reciprocal tariff of 32 percent on Indonesia. However, on April 9, 2025, he announced a 90-day postponement of the policy’s implementation.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Rubio appreciated Indonesia’s efforts to reform its economy. “This will create a fair and balanced trade relationship,” she said on Thursday, April 17, 2025, as reported by rri.co.id.

According to Bruce, Rubio also appreciated Indonesia’s efforts to facilitate the repatriation of its citizens deported from the US.

“Both sides underlined the importance of strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the US and Indonesia,” she said.

The two ministers also took the opportunity to discuss shared interests in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. They discussed various efforts to deepen cooperation in defense and security.

Their discussions included upholding freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. This issue is also being discussed by ASEAN countries and China through an official-level meeting in Manila, Philippines last week. ***