“We negotiate, we engage in dialogue, and we avoid emotion-driven measures. We are aware that this country has major interests, and it is the government’s duty to protect the Indonesian people,” he stated during the 8th Plenary Cabinet Meeting at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday (August 6).
At the 3.5-hour meeting, Prabowo directed his ministers' attention to various external threats to national interests, including the United States' reciprocal tariff policy.
In this context, the president praised his aides, notably Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, for their leadership in securing a more favorable position for Indonesia amid the US policy shift, which has global implications.
Both ministers had represented Indonesia in several rounds of negotiations with the US government, resulting in President Donald Trump reducing the tariff rate on Indonesian imports from 32 to 19 percent—one of the lowest in Southeast Asia.
Turning to regional security, President Prabowo raised concerns over the prolonged armed conflict in Myanmar, affirming that Indonesia will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution, including through its role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“Moreover, we are now witnessing an armed conflict between fellow ASEAN members: Cambodia and Thailand,” Prabowo pointed out.
He concluded by emphasizing that his administration had made significant progress in implementing priority programs despite the ongoing global challenges.
“We have reached the best possible point, but we will not stop striving to strengthen the country’s economic standing for the sake of our nation and our people,” he asserted.
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Translator: Genta T, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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