The Jakarta Post
Sparks fly: A worker smelts nickel at state-owned mining company Vale's smelting plant in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, on March 30. Indonesia's surprise plan to ban the export of nickel two years early may scare foreign investors away from Southeast Asia's biggest economy, analysts say, as it could cement a reputation for policy flip-flopping.(AFP/Bannu Mazandra)As the quarrel over Indonesia’s palm oil business rumbles on, trade tensions between Indonesia and the European Union have flared again following the bloc’s complaint to the World Trade Organization over Indonesia’s nickel export ban and alleged illegal subsidies.The European Commission sent on Nov. 22 a letter to the WTO challenging Indonesia’s nickel ore export ban, which comes into effect in January next year, saying Indonesia’s ban “goes against WTO rules”. The commission also openly stated that it wanted to protec...