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Shared US-Indonesia interests key during political transitions: US ambassador
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President Prabowo Subianto (left), accompanied by his son Didit Hediprasetyo, arrives at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, the United States, on Nov. 10, 2024. Prabowo is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with his US counterpart Joe Biden on Tuesday. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A)
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mid concerns that United States policy will become more protectionist and transactional when president-elect Donald Trump takes office in January of next year, the US ambassador to Indonesia said on Wednesday that the ties between Washington and Jakarta would continue on the basis of their mutual interests.
Though she noted that she was representing the administration of President Joe Biden, not Trump, Ambassador Kamala S. Lakhdhir said the US and Indonesia had long-standing shared interests and areas of cooperation, such as in economic development, trade, education, public health and renewable energy.
“I’ve seen many transitions in my many years as a career diplomat for the US. One of the things we [ask] is: What are the fundamental interests between Indonesia and the US?” she told a press briefing on Wednesday.
“These fundamental interests between the two countries and peoples [will] sustain us through the political transition here in Indonesia and the United States,” she added.
Countries worldwide, including Indonesia, have begun to prepare for Trump’s inauguration next year, with many expecting dramatic policy changes, higher tariffs and an escalation of the US-China rivalry.
Trump’s pledged economic policies suggested decreased engagement, foreign aid and foreign direct investment for Southeast Asian countries and could cause slower growth and higher unemployment in the region, analysts have said.
Read also: Trump policies could cast shadow over Indonesia, Asia
