This statement addressed the US government’s criticism of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) payment method, which was said to limit foreign payment system operators from competing in the country.
"They (US companies) are open to entering the frontend or participating, and that is the same level playing field as the others,” Airlangga stated during an online press conference on the development of Indonesia-US trade negotiations on Friday.
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has filed a complaint against the Indonesian payment system, especially the QRIS policy, for its perceived lack of engagement with global stakeholders.
The complaint was stated in the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers 2025, released on March 31.
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The USTR asserted that US companies, including banks and payment service providers, “were neither informed of the nature of the potential changes nor given an opportunity to explain their views on such a system, including how it might be designed to interact most seamlessly with existing payment systems.”
They believed the process complicated the incorporation of foreign systems into Indonesia's domestic payment architecture.
Meanwhile, Airlangga emphasized Indonesia's openness to collaboration and provision of equal opportunities for all stakeholders.
He outlined Indonesia's current focus on enhancing the competitiveness of the national industrial sector through technology, human resources (HR), and green policies.
He stressed that these efforts are critical to fortifying Indonesia's position in global trade relations.
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Translator: Yashinta Difa
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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