"We surely hope for an increase in the cooperation between Indonesia and the US. We believe that the trade relationship between both countries will continue," Minister Lukita said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia hopes Donald Trumps victory in the United States (US) presidential election will strengthen the bilateral relationship with the US, especially in the trade sector, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said.

"We surely hope for an increase in the cooperation between Indonesia and the US. We believe that the trade relationship between both countries will continue," Minister Lukita said in a press conference in Jakarta, Friday.

With his business background, Trump is likely to consider economic aspects in forming policies, despite the current situation in which a number of countries are taking protective measures, he continued.

The US holds a rather important role for Indonesia, as the country is one of Indonesias biggest partners in trade, as well as being the traditional market for local product exports.

The government will continue to maintain and increase trade with the said traditional markets, at the same time opening new potential markets.

"In this global economic scenario, countries have the tendency to become protective, and it does not just apply to the US. We will keep an eye on how the situation develops and we looking forward with anticipation to the US new economic cabinet members," he said.

One of the policies formed during Obamas presidency period included the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Both, Trump and Hillary Clinton, had said in their presidential campaigns that they would pull the US out of the partnership framework.

"In his campaign, Trump said that he will not continue the partnership and Clinton also planned to do the same. No countries have previously been so daring and taken a stand against the partnership, not even the US," he reiterated.

Trump, a candidate from the Republican Party, beat Hillary Clinton, candidate from the Democratic Party, in the vote count.

Trumps victory is rather historical as he is the first president of the United States to possess minimum political experience.

Trumps victory was confirmed on Wednesday (November 3) at 2:30 am, local Southern America time.

A number of survey institutions projected Trumps win in the state of Wisconsin which gave 270 electoral votes, the number Trump needed in order to become the 45th US president.

His victory came as a shock to a number of parties as Clinton outnumbered him in popular votes.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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