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US-Indonesia deal cuts tariffs, eases critical mineral export limits

US-Indonesia deal cuts tariffs, eases critical mineral export limits

The Sun5 days ago
WASHINGTON: The United States and Indonesia have reached a trade agreement that will lower tariffs and ease restrictions on critical mineral exports, the White House confirmed.
The deal, described as a 'huge win' by former President Donald Trump, reduces US tariffs on Indonesian goods from 32% to 19%.
Under the agreement, Indonesia will eliminate 99% of its tariff barriers for American industrial, tech, and agricultural products.
'Indonesia will supply the United States with their precious Critical Minerals,' Trump stated on his Truth Social platform. The Southeast Asian nation is a major producer of copper, cobalt, and nickel, essential for manufacturing and renewable energy sectors.
A joint White House statement noted that certain Indonesian goods not readily available in the US may qualify for even lower tariffs.
Additionally, Indonesia will lift export restrictions on industrial commodities, including critical minerals.
A US official, speaking anonymously, revealed that Indonesia will also abandon plans to tax data flows, a move previously criticized as a 'revenue grab' targeting American firms.
The country will further streamline imports by removing pre-shipment inspection requirements for US goods and accepting US motor vehicle safety standards.
The deal, expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, is projected to provide $50 billion in new market access and purchases by Indonesian firms.
This agreement follows similar pacts with Britain, Vietnam, and the Philippines, as the US seeks to rebalance trade relations ahead of an August 1 tariff deadline. - AFP
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Toyota's internal inertia slows digital shift to rival Tesla and BYD
Toyota's internal inertia slows digital shift to rival Tesla and BYD

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  • The Star

Toyota's internal inertia slows digital shift to rival Tesla and BYD

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Cambodian and Thai leaders hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia as border violence enters fifth day
Cambodian and Thai leaders hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia as border violence enters fifth day

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timean hour ago

  • The Star

Cambodian and Thai leaders hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia as border violence enters fifth day

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Cambodia says immediate ceasefire purpose of talks; Thailand questions its sincerity
Cambodia says immediate ceasefire purpose of talks; Thailand questions its sincerity

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timean hour ago

  • The Star

Cambodia says immediate ceasefire purpose of talks; Thailand questions its sincerity

This pool photo taken and released on July 28, 2025 by Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) shows Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet gesturing to government officials before he departures to Malaysia for ceasefire talks with Thailand, at Phnom Penh international Airport in Phnom Penh on July 28, 2025. Thailand and Cambodia's leaders are due to meet for peace talks on July 28, as a festering territorial dispute along their shared frontier dragged into a fifth day of open combat. - AFP BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH: An immediate ceasefire in a deadly border dispute is the purpose of talks with Thailand on Monday (July 28), Cambodia's Prime Minister said, but his Thai counterpart said there were doubts about Cambodia's sincerity ahead of the negotiations in Malaysia. Monday's talks to end the deadliest fighting in more than a decade between the South-East Asian neighbours are being hosted by Malaysia, the chair of the regional Asean bloc. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the talks were co-organised by the United States, and that China would also take part in them. Both Thailand and Cambodia accuse the other of starting the hostilities last week and then escalating them. On Monday, officials from both countries said clashes along the disputed border were ongoing ahead of the talks later in the day. "We are not confident in Cambodia, their actions so far have reflected insincerity in solving the problem," acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters ahead of his departure for Kuala Lumpur. "Cambodia has violated international law, but everybody wants to see peace. Nobody wants to see violence that affects civilians." Cambodia has strongly denied Thai accusations it has fired at civilian targets, and has instead said that Thailand has put innocent lives at risk. It has called for the international community to condemn Thailand's aggression against it. "The purpose of this meeting is to achieve an immediate 'ceasefire', initiated by President Donald Trump and agreed to by the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand," Hun Manet said in a post on X as he departed for the talks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said State Department officials would assist the peace efforts, after President Donald Trump had earlier said that he thought both leaders wanted to settle the conflict. The tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have intensified since the killing in late May of a Cambodian soldier during a brief skirmish. Border troops on both sides were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had proposed ceasefire talks soon after the border dispute erupted into conflict on Thursday, and China and the United States also offered to assist in negotiations. Anwar said he expected to chair the negotiations after being asked by the two governments to try to find a peace settlement, state media agency Bernama reported on Sunday. "So, I'm discussing the parameters, the conditions, but what is important is (an) immediate ceasefire," Anwar said. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but the situation worsened in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Skirmishes over several years brought at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia said in June it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand. Bangkok says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach. - Reuters

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