According to President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia is optimistic that the US and China will eventually reach an agreement to resolve the dispute, which has far-reaching implications for global trade.
"I hope that in the end, they will reach some kind of agreement," Prabowo remarked during a brief interview with the media after attending the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Turkey, Friday (April 11).
He reiterated Indonesia's stance of not aligning with either side, emphasizing that both countries are valued trading partners.
Prabowo affirmed that Indonesia aspires to act as a bridge between the two nations.
"No, no (we are not taking sides). We respect all countries. We consider China as our good friend. We also consider the US a good friend. We want to be a bridge," the president stated.
When asked further about the possibility of Indonesia severing ties with China in favor of closer cooperation with the US, Prabowo firmly dismissed such speculation, citing Indonesia's deep economic ties with China.
The president affirmed that bilateral relations between Indonesia and China, including as trading partners, were already quite close.
"No, it is impossible (to cut off cooperation). It is impossible. China is already too close to Indonesia," Prabowo noted.
Currently, the trade war between the US and China is heating up after the US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on imported goods from China, with a tariff increase of up to 145 percent.
China did not remain silent and increased the import tariff on goods from the US from 84 percent to 125 percent.
Trump later announced a 90-day delay on reciprocal tariffs to various trading partners, except for China.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi Gayati, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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