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Trump’s victory will have no impact on Indonesia’s trade: Minister
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Trump effect: Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita (right) gives his opinion about how the victory of Republican Donald Trump, who promoted a protectionist trade policy during the 2016 US presidential election, will affect US-Indonesia trade relations in a press conference in Jakarta on Nov. 11. The Trade Ministry’s directorate general for international trade negotiations Imam Pambagyo (left) accompanied the minister at the event.
(JP/Winny Tang)
T
rade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has said the victory of Republican Donald Trump, who promoted a protectionist trade policy during his US presidential election campaign, would not have an immediate impact on US-Indonesia trade relations because no country could isolate itself from international trade.
The minister said that although Trump had vowed to, among others things, restrain trade through increased tariffs on imported goods, his background as a businessman would play a huge role in the policymaking process, which might create some positive economic effects.
“We believe that our trade relations will increase especially because Trump has a background as a businessman […]. He will make decisions from that point of view,” he said at the Trade Ministry in Jakarta on Friday.
Enggartiasto further said the government was currently waiting to see names Trump would appoint to fill economic-related posts in his cabinet because this would give hints about the direction of his policies.
According to official data, Indonesia exports to the US amounted to US$16.26 billion in 2015. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows the US is Indonesia’s largest export destination and fifth-largest source of imports. Main goods exported to the US are apparel and clothing accessories while products Indonesia imports from the US are mostly machinery. (win/ebf)
