Cabinet Secretary Lt. Col. Teddy Indra Wijaya addressed the announcement by United States President Donald Trump, who officially signed a policy imposing a 10% global tariff on all countries, following a US Supreme Court decision.
Teddy elaborated on Indonesia’s proactive stance, explaining that even before the US Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the cancellation of certain tariffs, Indonesia had successfully engaged in bilateral negotiations. These efforts saw a significant reduction in tariffs from 32 percent down to 19 percent. “Before the Supreme Court’s decision, we had already negotiated, and the President and the team managed to bring it down from 32% to 19%. And it might even go down further,” Teddy stated in Washington DC, United States, on Saturday, February 21. This strategic negotiation highlighted Indonesia’s commitment to securing favorable trade terms.
Building on this progress, Teddy highlighted the further advantages presented by recent developments. He explained that from a purely mathematical standpoint, Indonesia stands to gain significantly from the subsequent decrease from 19 percent to 10 percent. “Well, after the Supreme Court decision yesterday, going from 19% to 10% is certainly better mathematically,” he added, underscoring the positive economic implications for the nation.
Ultimately, Teddy asserted Indonesia’s unwavering preparedness to navigate any decisions emanating from the American government. He stressed the importance of direct diplomacy, led by the President, in shaping Indonesia-US trade relations. “But the main point is this: the President conducted direct diplomacy with the United States. The essence is that we, Indonesia, are ready to face all possibilities that may arise,” he affirmed, emphasizing the nation’s resilience and strategic engagement in the complex global trade landscape.
Summary
US President Donald Trump has signed a policy implementing a