“We felt the impact of the U.S. government shutdown, as it brought our negotiations to a halt,” Hartarto said during a press conference on Tuesday.
He confirmed that the negotiations were being conducted via video conference and noted that Indonesia will seek clarification from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding the continuity of the talks.
While awaiting a response from the U.S., Hartarto assured that Indonesia will continue monitoring developments related to the shutdown.
The minister also explained that Indonesia is requesting a waiver to exempt key commodities—such as palm oil, rubber, and cocoa—from the 19 percent import tariff imposed by President Donald Trump.
He added that the negotiations have entered a legal scrubbing phase to ensure the final agreement complies with regulations in both countries. “The outcome will be more detailed than what we previously announced,” he said.
The U.S. federal government has once again entered a partial shutdown after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a stopgap funding agreement before the midnight deadline.
Although the 2024 fiscal year ended on September 30, Congress has yet to agree on a budget for the upcoming year.
The deadlock stems from a standoff in the Senate, where Republicans lack the majority needed to pass funding legislation.
The shutdown has left 1.3 million active-duty troops and 50,000 Coast Guard members unpaid, cut food assistance for low-income families, and affected more than 13,000 air traffic controllers—raising concerns over flight disruptions.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, approximately 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed daily, with an estimated economic cost of $400 million per day.
On Monday, the U.S. Senate failed to pass a Republican-sponsored bill aimed at ending the shutdown.
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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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