RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has affirmed that national economic interests remain its top priority. The trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States is regarded as offering greater export opportunities, with the policy adopted based on strategic and measured considerations.

President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the government will not jeopardize national interests in international agreements. He made these remarks in connection with the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).

“You must believe that I prioritize Indonesia’s national interests. If I assess that any agreement threatens our national interests, then we can walk away from it,” Prabowo said in Jakarta on Sunday, March 22, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The President stated that every agreement undergoes a thorough evaluation before approval.

One of the key points in this cooperation is the reduction of trade tariffs from 32 percent to 19 percent. He explained that Indonesia secured special treatment from US President Donald Trump in the agreement, including flexibility to review the deal if it is deemed detrimental to national interests.

“In the last agreement, we agreed that if there are matters that are not satisfactory to both parties or contrary to our interests, an adjustment clause will be included,” he said.

President Prabowo noted that the presence of an adjustment clause is a distinct advantage compared to similar agreements other countries have made with the US. This flexibility is seen as strengthening Indonesia’s position in safeguarding its economic sovereignty.

On the trade front, 1,819 of Indonesia’s strategic commodities have gained zero-percent tariff access to the US market. Flagship products such as coffee and palm oil are among those expected to benefit significantly from the removal of tariff barriers.

The President stressed that Indonesia will take a rational approach in responding to global policy dynamics and will not follow other countries’ steps without considering the impact on national interests. He said every economic diplomacy policy is formulated on the basis of public benefit calculations, ensuring that international cooperation continues to support national economic growth. ***