Indonesia pushes ahead with trade negotiations with US

In a letter dated July 7 and addressed to President Prabowo Subianto, US President Donald Trump confirmed the decision to keep the 32% tariff in place, despite ongoing talks.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shows a signed letter on tariffs to Korean President Lee Jae Myung on July 7, 2025, at the White House in Washington, DC. US President Donald Trump sent a similar letter to President Prabowo Subianto, warning that Washington will impose a 32% tariff unless Jakarta works out a trade and investment deal. (Photo: Reuters)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shows a signed letter on tariffs to Korean President Lee Jae Myung on July 7, 2025, at the White House in Washington, DC. US President Donald Trump sent a similar letter to President Prabowo Subianto, warning that Washington will impose a 32% tariff unless Jakarta works out a trade and investment deal. (Photo: Reuters)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Indonesian Government will soon announce its response to the US's decision to maintain a 32% import tariff on Indonesian goods, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on July 10.

The minister unveiled the information after attending a plenary session at the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Finance Anggito Abimanyu said more time is needed to assess the potential economic impact, noting that the policy has not yet been implemented. He welcomed the government’s continued efforts to pursue dialogue with the US.

Abimanyu noted that the US appeared open to revisiting its decision, and said Indonesia planned to take advantage of this opportunity to protect its national interests.

In a letter dated July 7 and addressed to President Prabowo Subianto, US President Donald Trump confirmed the decision to keep the 32% tariff in place, despite ongoing talks.

Trump suggested that the tariff rate could still be adjusted if Indonesia agrees to further open its market to US products, revise its trade policies, or begin manufacturing goods in the US.

Meanwhile, other Southeast Asian countries have also seen shifts in US tariff rates. Thailand and Cambodia now face additional import tariffs of 36% - adjusted from previous rates of 36 and 49% - while Malaysia’s tariff has increased slightly, from 24 to 25%./.

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