JakartaPost-Apr 22
The government has vowed to trade with China as usual after Beijing warned other countries against striking tariff deals with the United States at China’s expense. Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, director general of international trade negotiations at the Trade Ministry, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that “Indonesia will trade as usual with all trading partners both in traditional and non-traditional markets”. He further expressed the government’s commitment to upholding the principles of multilateral trade by supporting fair and transparent trade practices while opposing protectionism and discrimination. “China as Indonesia’s key trading partner upholds similar [principles], hence both parties, along with other trading partners, will respect each other’s rights and obligations in ensuring a rules-based international trading system,” he explained. As Indonesia’s top trading partner, China accounted for nearly a quarter of Indonesian exports last year. Meanwhile, the US placed second, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS). In a press conference on Monday, Djatmiko also said Indonesia remained committed to not taking retaliatory measures against the US tariff policy. He added that Indonesia would seek to maintain “good trade relations” with all trading partners and resolve any issues through diplomacy and negotiations. Earlier, China warned other countries, which are negotiating with the US in a bid to convince Washington to lift tariffs imposed on their exports, not to “appease” the US by making any deals at Beijing’s expense. The government revealed that Indonesia has proposed increasing its imports from the US by as much as US$19 billion, including around $10 billion of energy imports, to eliminate its trade surplus with Washington. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/04/22/govt-vows-to-trade-with-china-as-usual-despite-us-china-trade-war.html
