US-China Import Tariffs Drop, Indonesia Seizes Opportunity To Lobby Trump

Indonesia will take advantage of the moment of the reduction in import tariffs from the United States (US) and China as a way to negotiate import tariffs with the country. The import tariffs for both countries will be reduced for 90 days. 

"The next 90 days (US) and China will pause. So we are using that time to negotiate with America," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto at the Presidential Palace Complex as reported by Antara in Jakarta, Thursday (5/15/2025). 

Airlangga said that his party is currently studying the discussion material and preparing strategic commodities needed in the negotiations. From a macroeconomic perspective, Airlangga assessed that the 90-day temporary pause could not be considered as an easing of trade tensions. 

Although the market reacted positively to this announcement, the Government cannot immediately draw conclusions because it is still temporary. "The market reacted positively but we cannot draw conclusions because this is only a temporary period," he said. 

The US and China have agreed to significantly ease tariffs for 90 days, marking a rare moment in their long-running trade conflict and raising hopes for long-term economic stability. 

The deal was announced in a joint statement released by the US government on Monday (5/12). It came after a weekend of intense negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. 

The two countries will drastically cut import duties on each other's products. The US will lower tariffs on Chinese goods from 145 percent to 30 percent, while China will lower tariffs on US goods from 125 percent to 10 percent by May 14. 

While temporary, the deal is the most significant step in easing trade tensions in years, and it is also a breath of fresh air for global markets that have been plagued by uncertainty. 

In the statement, both countries stressed the importance of building a "sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial" trade relationship. 

Tag: Airlangga Hartarto China US