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House to summon foreign minister on vacant ambassador in the US
The House of Representatives will meet with Foreign Minister Sugiono to discuss the vacant position of Indonesian ambassador to the United States on Thursday, amid global tariff war.
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Foreign Minister Sugiono delivers his annual foreign policy speech at the ministry's office in Jakarta on Jan. 10. (Antara/Muhammad Ramdan)
T
he House of Representatives will summon Foreign Minister Sugiono on Thursday to discuss the vacant position of Indonesian ambassador to the United States.
“We are scheduling [the meeting] for Thursday. We will attempt to meet all stakeholders. Since it’s right after Idul Fitri, we also need to make proper preparations,” House Commission I chairman Utut Adianto said at the House in Central Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com.
The envoy position has been vacant for two years. Previously, the post was held by Rosan Roeslani until July 2023. Rosan was then appointed as a deputy minister at the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry in then-president Joko Widodo’s administration.
Utut said the government should appoint someone as soon as possible to optimize Indonesia’s diplomacy at the international level. However, he said that the decision had to be made by President Prabowo Subianto.
House Speaker Puan Maharani also asked Prabowo to fill the post of ambassador. She said the House was waiting for the government to submit prospective candidates so they could be assessed by legislators.
Calls to fill the post of ambassador to the US have intensified with the recently announced tariffs by US President Donald Trump. The US imposed a 32 percent import tariff on Indonesia.
Thursday’s meeting with Sugiono also aims at clarifying the country’s position amid the global tariff war.
“From the geopolitical perspective, there is a change, a shift. This tariff war definitely has an impact,” Utut said.
“We’re working with partners, including the Foreign Ministry, and hopefully, Foreign Minister Sugiono will be able to explain the effects clearly.”
To negotiate reciprocal tariffs with the US, Indonesia is sending its delegation to Washington DC, to meet the US government from Wednesday to April 25.
Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartanto is leading the delegation.
Airlangga said the government has prepared documents to show Indonesia’s position and proposals, encompassing the tariff issue, non-trade barriers and partnership opportunities in investment and finance.
