HEADLINE | BIZ-ECONOMY | JAKARTA: US maintains tariff threat despite Indonesian concessions

United States President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One on May 4 upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the US as he returns to the White House after spending the weekend in Florida. (AFP/Saul Loeb)
.

WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDaVzk2W1o4

‘He’s taxing us’: Trump makes new tariff threats

The president issued letters to several countries, including South Korea and Japan, warning that the tariff rate on their goods would go up on August 1. It came after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted that many governments never contacted the United States for trade talks. Susan Glasser, Akayla Gardner and Justin Wolfers join.

.

.

I ndonesia has yet to secure lower tariffs from the United States despite a range of concessions it put on the table.

Experts caution that striking a trade deal may be “too complex” a task.

Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto was set to meet US negotiators on Tuesday for more talks on bilateral trade, hours after US President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto reiterating his threat to impose a 32 percent tariff on all Indonesian exports.

“The government will maximize all available opportunities to safeguard national interests,” the ministry’s spokesperson Haryo Limanseto said on Tuesday.

Read also: Trump sends Prabowo letter to ram through trade talks Airlangga, who attended the BRICS summit in Brazil earlier this week, is scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Washington for trade deals worth up to US$34 billion with American business partners.

The agreement will include $15.5 billion in US fuel imports as well as investment plans involving state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state-run asset fund Danantara Indonesia.
.

READ MORE:  https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/07/08/us-maintains-tariff-threat-despite-indonesian-concessions.html

.

Ruth Dea Juwita
The Jakarta Post- PREMIUM
Jakarta Tue, July 8, 2025

….

 

.

HEADLINE:

BUSINESS ECONOMY:
Trump sends Prabowo letter to ram through trade talks

.

WATCH VIDEO:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0jFHqzKG-4

President Trump to send tariff letters

President Trump says countries will receive tariff letters from 5pm London time, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirms the measures come into effect from August 1st. Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe tells CNBC he’s optimistic the EU can strike a trade deal with the U.S. – as the bloc eyes a skeleton agreement that keeps a 10% levy on most exports. And – Elon Musk announces plans to launch a new political party, drawing the ire of President Trump and raising questions about his business commitments.

.

In a letter dated Monday and posted on Donald Trump’s Truth Social account, the United States president said the measure was needed to correct “very persistent” trade imbalances that he blamed on Indonesian tariff and nontariff trade barriers.

.

Ongoing tariff threats: United States President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order imposing tariffs on imported goods during a “Make America Wealthy Again“ trade announcement event on April 2 in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC. (AFP/Andrew Hanik)

 

U nited States President Donald Trump has sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto pushing for progress in trade talks, warning that Washington will impose a 32 percent tariff on all Indonesian exports starting next month unless Jakarta works out a trade and investment deal with Washington.

In a letter dated Monday and posted to Trump’s Truth Social account, the US president said the measure was needed to correct what he described as “very persistent” trade imbalances caused by Indonesian tariff and nontariff barriers.

“Please understand that the 32 percent number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit disparity we have with your country,” Trump wrote.

“There will be no tariff if Indonesia, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture products within the United States,” he added.

Read also: Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea, Malaysia

.

Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/07/08/trump-sends-prabowo-letter-to-ram-through-trade-talks.html.

.

Ruth Dea Juwita
The Jakarta Post)PREMIUM
Jakarta
Tue, July 8, 2025

 

PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE