Indonesia vows to provide US tariff preferences before June talks
JAKARTA: Indonesia has committed to provide a list of preferred tariffs on U.S. goods before starting a second round of talks with Washington scheduled this month, its senior economy minister said on Wednesday after meeting the U.S. trade envoy.
The U.S. was Indonesia's third-biggest export destination as of last year, receiving shipments worth $26.3 billion, according to Indonesian government data. The Southeast Asian country booked a $16.8 billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2024.
Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia is ready to accelerate negotiations with the U.S. before the July 3 deadline for reciprocal tariffs set by President Donald Trump in his drive to end U.S. trade deficits with countries worldwide.
The Trump administration has imposed a 32% tariff on Indonesian goods but that has been paused until July along with those targeting other countries.
'We are ready to continue open dialogue and overcome negotiation challenges in tariffs and non-tariff barriers, digital trade... and the issues of economic and national security,' Airlangga said in a statement.
Reuters was seeking U.S. comment.
Airlangga, who met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of an OECD meeting in Paris, said Indonesia hopes that a 'mature and measured' approach can open space for it to build a strong and long-term partnership with the U.S.
As part of the negotiation, the government has said it wants to increase U.S. energy imports by about $10 billion, including purchases of U.S. fuel, crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas.
Indonesia received shipments of U.S. goods worth $26.3 billion in 2024, according to government data. The main Indonesian exports to the U.S. include electronics, apparel and clothing, and footwear.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
OpenAI finds more Chinese groups using ChatGPT for malicious purposes
SAN FRANCISCO: OpenAI is seeing an increasing number of Chinese groups using its artificial intelligence technology for covert operations, which the ChatGPT maker described in a report released Thursday. While the scope and tactics employed by these groups have expanded, the operations detected were generally small in scale and targeted limited audiences, the San Francisco-based startup said. Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, there have been concerns about the potential consequences of generative AI technology, which can quickly and easily produce human-like text, imagery and audio. OpenAI regularly releases reports on malicious activity it detects on its platform, such as creating and debugging malware, or generating fake content for websites and social media platforms. In one example, OpenAI banned ChatGPT accounts that generated social media posts on political and geopolitical topics relevant to China, including criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game, false accusations against a Pakistani activist, and content related to the closure of USAID. Some content also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, generating X posts, such as 'Tariffs make imported goods outrageously expensive, yet the government splurges on overseas aid. Who's supposed to keep eating?'. In another example, China-linked threat actors used AI to support various phases of their cyber operations, including open-source research, script modification, troubleshooting system configurations, and development of tools for password brute forcing and social media automation. A third example OpenAI found was a China-origin influence operation that generated polarized social media content supporting both sides of divisive topics within U.S. political discourse, including text and AI-generated profile images. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on OpenAI's findings. OpenAI has cemented its position as one of the world's most valuable private companies after announcing a $40 billion funding round valuing the company at $300 billion.
Sinar Daily
34 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Scams, trust issues plague secondhand motorcycle market in Malaysia
Unlike the used car segment, the motorcycle resale market remains largely informal and often operates without standardised inspection or certification systems. 08 Jun 2025 09:00am With online classifieds and social media enabling easy access to buyers, fraudsters can post seemingly attractive listings, sometimes priced below market value, to lure in victims. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's secondhand motorcycle market continues to grapple with trust issues as buyers face growing risks of fraud and a lack of transparency in transactions. chief executive officer Gil Carmo said unlike the used car segment, the motorcycle resale market remains largely informal and often operates without standardised inspection or certification systems. Red flags often include listings without warranty or return policies, unverified sellers and prices that appear too good to be true. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily "With online classifieds and social media enabling easy access to buyers, fraudsters can post seemingly attractive listings, sometimes priced below market value, to lure in victims. "The lack of traceable sellers and formal platforms allows such scams to persist, and without physical showrooms or accountability, it becomes difficult to take action once buyers are deceived,' he told Bernama. Carmo stressed the importance of buyer education and awareness, noting that red flags often include listings without warranty or return policies, unverified sellers, and prices that appear too good to be true. "Although efforts are underway by some market players to introduce structured inspections, verified documentation, and post-sale protections, there is still room for the industry to improve buyer safeguards and overall transparency. "Buyers deserve peace of mind just as much as a good price, and until that becomes the norm, trust will remain the biggest hurdle,' he said. The CEO highlighted several common scams in the market, including odometer tampering, where high-mileage motorcycles are disguised as low-usage units to fetch inflated prices, a practice that continues to trap many unsuspecting buyers. "Other scams include illegal modifications, forged ownership documents, and sellers who disappear after receiving upfront payments. "These bikes may come with hidden reliability issues or unresolved financing status, which buyers often only discover when attempting to transfer ownership,' he said. To mitigate such risks, Carmo said his company has implemented several measures, including a 170-point inspection by in-house mechanics, verification of legal documents, and a six-day return policy with a six-month warranty. "These steps are aimed at giving buyers peace of mind. We also ensure full transparency by using only company-taken photos and videos for listings, and we encourage test rides so buyers know exactly what they're getting,' he added. iMotorbike is a Southeast Asian online platform that facilitates the buying and selling of pre-owned motorcycles, offering services such as inspections, warranties, and financing to ensure a safe and transparent transaction experience. The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) disclosed that total losses from commercial crimes last year amounted to RM3.11 billion, with 41,701 investigation papers initiated. CCID director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf revealed that fraud was the most prevalent crime with 73,240 cases resulting in losses exceeding RM2.45 billion. Of this, online fraud accounted for 35,368 cases involving a loss of RM1.57 billion, as reported by Bernama previously. - BERNAMA
The Star
40 minutes ago
- The Star
Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked: Report
This aerial photo taken on April 18, 2025 shows smoke rising at Weda Bay Industrial Park (WBIP), a major nickel processing and smelting hub, in Lelilef Sawai, Central Halmahera, North Maluku. - AFP JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is allowing environmental damage including deforestation and violations against Indigenous people to go unchecked around a multi-billion dollar industrial park on a once-pristine eastern island, a report said Thursday (June 5). Indonesia is both the world's largest nickel producer, and home to the biggest-known reserves, and a 2020 export ban has spurred a domestic industrial boom. Operations have grown around Weda Bay, the world's largest nickel mine by production, on Halmahera island as Indonesia exploits the metal reserves used in everything from electric vehicle batteries to stainless steel. Climate Rights International (CRI) said companies had caused a spike in air and water pollution and deforestation around the industrial park, accusing the government of ignoring their conduct. "The Indonesian government is giving a green light to corporate practices that prioritise profits over the rights of local communities and the environment," Krista Shennum, researcher at Climate Rights International, told AFP. "The Indonesian government should immediately hold companies accountable. This could include civil penalties, criminal prosecutions, or rescinding permits." Much of the park's nickel is sourced by Weda Bay Nickel (WBN), a joint venture of Indonesian mining firm Antam and Singapore-based Strand Minerals, with shares divided between French mining giant Eramet and Chinese steel major Tsingshan. An AFP report last week detailed how the home of the nomadic Hongana Manyawa tribe was being eaten away by the world's largest nickel mine, with members issuing a call for nickel companies to leave their tribal lands alone. Locals have reported a rise in air pollution from nickel processing smelters and rivers polluted by nickel tailings in soil brought down by heavy rain. Water tests by Indonesian NGOs AEER, JATAM, and Nexus3 Foundation in 2023 and 2024 "revealed dangerously high levels of nickel and hexavalent chromium, among other pollutants", the report said. "(Companies) are failing local communities by not making information about the safety of important drinking water sources publicly available and accessible," said Shennum. Both WBN and Eramet told AFP last week they work to minimise impacts on the environment, including conducting water tests. CRI also said Indonesian and foreign companies in coordination with police and military personnel had "engaged in land grabbing, coercion and intimidation" of Indigenous peoples and other communities. Local activists and students opposing the industrial park have "faced criminalisation, harassment and smear campaigns", the report said. Weda Bay Nickel and the Indonesian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Indonesia's energy ministry told AFP last week it was committed to "protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and ensuring that mining activities do not damage their lives and environment". - AFP
