Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), Hasan Nasbi, said that the minister had accompanied President Prabowo Subianto to the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
“He [Hartarto] is on his way from Rio de Janeiro to Washington, D.C.,” he informed here on Tuesday.
Nasbi said that the negotiation team of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs has landed in Washington to prepare for further negotiations with the US government.
According to Nasbi, Trump’s decision to postpone the deadline of the tariff policy from July 9 to August 1, 2025, is being seen as a window of opportunity for Indonesia to secure a more favorable outcome.
The head of the PCO said that the Indonesian government is very optimistic regarding the negotiation attempt, since Indonesia has always maintained good relations with all countries, including the United States.
“And, of course, those good relations can serve as strong social capital to continue our discussions and negotiations [on the tariff policy],” he added.
Spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Haryo Limanseto, confirmed that Hartarto was scheduled to leave for the United States on Tuesday to pursue negotiations on the tariffs.
“Since there is still an opportunity to respond to the policy conveyed by the US government, the Indonesian government will make the most of the chance to safeguard our national interests,” he added.
President Trump has decided to maintain the 32-percent import tariff on Indonesian goods, first announced in April, despite ongoing intensive talks between the two countries.
On Monday, President Trump sent letters to the leaders of Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand, formally notifying them of the tariffs on their exports to the US.
The letter confirmed that, starting August 1, the United States will impose a 32-percent tariff on Indonesian goods.
Reporter: Mentari Gayati, Uyu Liman
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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