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%./.

VNA

See more

The forum on ASEAN's role in the Indo-Pacific region and prospects for cooperation with Argentina takes place on September 10 (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN highlights its central role in Indo-Pacific

The Ambassador of Indonesia, the country holding the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN in Argentina, stressed that maintaining peace and stability, along with an open, transparent regional environment based on mutual respect, are fundamental conditions for a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

A street in Bangkok, Thailand. (Illustrative photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand’s business activity shows signs of gradual recovery

As of August 31, Thailand had more than 1 million active legal entities with total registered capital of 24.13 trillion THB. The service sector accounted for the largest share, with 552,830 entities, or 54.48%, followed by wholesale and retail with 332,791 entities (32.79%) and manufacturing with 129,215 (12.73%).

Prime Minister Hun Manet (front row, centre) and Labour and Vocational Training Minister Heng Sour (front row, right) visit a garment factory in Preah Sihanouk province. MLVT (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Cambodia records 7,458 more enterprises in three years

A Cambodian official said that the growth should not be assessed solely by the number of newly established enterprises and facilities, but also by their contributions to investment, production, job creation and household incomes.

The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) convenes in Manila, the Philippines, on September 9. The Vietnamese delegation is led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (fifth, left), head of the ASEAN-Vietnam SOM.(Photo: asean.org)

Vietnam calls for stronger ASEAN unity, resilience

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang urged ASEAN to make full use of existing mechanisms to enhance dialogue, build trust and prevent risks and conflicts, particularly by strengthening the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), and cooperation based on international law.

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta (Photo: VNA)

Timor-Leste diversifies economy, seeks to attract investment

The President noted Timor-Leste is pursuing sustainable development, stronger regional connectivity and expanded international cooperation while seeking investment opportunities in energy, tourism and emerging economic sectors to reduce its dependence on oil and gas revenues.

Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hai Luu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam cooperates with UN to advance gender equality

Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hai Luu highlighted Vietnam’s positive achievements in promoting gender equality, noting that 13 of the 20 targets under the national strategy on gender equality had been met or exceeded by 2025.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on September 9, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Russian public, experts praise top Vietnamese leader’s visit

Positive reactions to General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit have reaffirmed Vietnam’s steady foreign policy amid global changes, while highlighting the enduring trust and friendship between Vietnam and Russia, which are working together to create new breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation.

Thailand eases rules for foreign enterprises

Thailand eases rules for foreign enterprises

The regulatory adjustment is part of Thailand's efforts to simplify regulations governing foreign business operations and clarify licensing requirements, while simultaneously fostering economic development and enhancing the country's international competitiveness.