Prabowo May Negotiate Tariff Relief with Trump if Meeting Approved
- VIVA.co.id/Yeni Lestari
Ankara, VIVA – Indonesian Foreign Minister, Sugiono, announced that the government has officially submitted a request for President Prabowo Subianto to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“We submitted the request to meet President Trump some time ago,” minister Sugiono said in Ankara, Turkiye, on Friday (Apr 11).
According to the minister, the meeting request was made well before President Trump announced the new import tariffs.
“This was long before the tariffs, and obviously, it’s related to strengthening bilateral ties. The request was submitted shortly after President Trump was inaugurated,” he stated.
Sugiono explained that the main purpose of the meeting is to discuss bilateral relations. However, he did not rule out the possibility that import tariffs—particularly the 32 percent rate—would also be on the agenda if the meeting goes ahead.
“With the current developments, I believe that topic will naturally come up. We’ll see how it goes,” he added.
The minister said Indonesia is still waiting for an official response from the U.S. government.
“It depends on when it’s accepted. Once we hear back, we’ll inform you,” he said.
Menteri Luar Negeri (Menlu), Sugiono di Ankara, Turki (sumber foto: Chandra - Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden)
- VIVA.co.id/Yeni Lestari
Earlier, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day delay in imposing tariffs on over 75 countries. The original deadline was set for Wednesday (Apr 9).
Trump stated that the delay was granted because these countries had reached out to U.S. partners to find solutions regarding trade issues, including tariffs, trade barriers, currency manipulation, and non-monetary tariffs.
He emphasized that the countries included in the pause had not taken retaliatory actions against the U.S.
“I’ve authorized a 90-day PAUSE and set a much lower reciprocal tariff of 10 percent, effective immediately,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
However, Trump clarified that the tariff suspension does not apply to China. In fact, he said China would face harsher measures.
“Due to China’s lack of respect for the global market, I am raising U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods to 125 percent, effective immediately,” he added.
