Anindya Bakrie Confident in New Trade Agreement Between Indonesia and U.S.

Jakarta, VIVA – Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Anindya Bakrie, expressed confidence that a new trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States will be reached.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Bakrie emphasized that both countries have significant potential to expand cooperation, especially in cross-border trade and investment.

He stated that Indonesia currently enjoys a trade surplus of approximately US$1.8 billion with the U.S., while the country imports oil and gas derivatives from various other nations, totaling up to US$40 billion.

"The government is currently considering reallocating that figure," Bakrie said in a statement on Friday (May 2).



Katua Umum Kadin Indonesia Anindya Bakrie.

Photo :

• @anindyabakrie.

According to him, a portion of Indonesia's potential energy imports happen to come from states like Texas and nearby regions, making Texas an attractive starting point for cooperation.

"However, what I want to emphasize is that in trade relations, the main issue is not about achieving a balanced trade, but rather increasing the volume of trade between the two countries," he stated.

Bakrie added that the U.S. is looking to increase exports of commodities such as soybeans, cotton, and wheat to Indonesia.

On the other hand, Indonesia aims to expand its exports of products like electronics, footwear, and garments to the U.S. market.

Yet, he stressed that Indonesia's potential goes far beyond those sectors.

"We also have many critical minerals that can form the basis of a strategic partnership with the U.S., helping reduce dependence on a single country," Bakrie explained.

Regarding the trade deal itself, Bakrie said he is optimistic it will come to fruition in the near future.

"Obviously, formulating a deal is the government’s responsibility. But we were very confident. I represented the private sector through Kadin Indonesia. After this visit to New York, I will head to Washington D.C. to meet with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and explore further opportunities for cooperation. There's even a strong possibility of increased cross-border investment," he concluded.

Halaman Selanjutnya

Bakrie added that the U.S. is looking to increase exports of commodities such as soybeans, cotton, and wheat to Indonesia.