6 days ago
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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government is finalizing preparations for a reciprocal tariff agreement with the United States. President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to travel to the US on February 19, 2026, to attend the negotiations and formalize the deal.
Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs spokesperson Haryo Limanseto said the President held a meeting with several ministers from the Red and White Cabinet in Hambalang, Bogor, on Sunday (Feb. 15, 2026), to ensure readiness and refine Indonesia’s negotiation strategy.
“The meeting discussed updates on the Indonesia–US negotiations, and the President conveyed that he plans to be present in the US on the 19th. Around that date, the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) is scheduled to take place,” Haryo said in an official statement on Monday (Feb. 16, 2026).
According to Haryo, the visit to the US will also include business and investment meetings between Indonesian and American business leaders as part of the ART signing agenda between the two heads of state.
During the Hambalang meeting, Prabowo emphasized the importance of maintaining Indonesia’s strong and well-measured position ahead of several upcoming international engagements.
He instructed that every negotiation must strengthen national industries, boost domestic productivity, and expand Indonesia’s contribution to the global supply chain. The government was also directed to ensure that Indonesia’s bargaining position remains strong and does not compromise national interests.
Prabowo further stressed that every economic policy must deliver tangible benefits that can be immediately felt by the Indonesian people. The focus, he said, should not only be on formal agreements but also on job creation, increasing industrial value-added, and generating a direct impact on public welfare.
“Substantively, the tariff negotiations have been completed and both countries have finalized the harmonization of legal drafting. Under the framework of the agreement, Indonesia has committed to eliminating import duties on most US-origin products. Meanwhile, the US will reduce its reciprocal tariffs on Indonesian products from 32 percent to 19 percent, and provide tariff exemptions for several key Indonesian export commodities, including crude palm oil (CPO), coffee, and cocoa,” Haryo explained.
Beyond trade matters, Prabowo’s visit to the US will also include participation in the Board of Peace Summit, or the Gaza Peace Council, on February 19, 2026. The government views the momentum as a strategic step to strengthen Indonesia’s global diplomacy while opening up new avenues for cooperation.
Haryo expressed optimism about the outcome of the agreement. He added that Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto had departed earlier for the US to make preparations and welcome President Prabowo’s arrival.
“The presence of economic ministers in Hambalang ahead of the President’s departure reflects final consolidation to ensure Indonesia’s position is solid in the negotiations. We hope there will be positive surprises from the ART that will further benefit Indonesia,” Haryo concluded.
Ministers attending the Hambalang meeting included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani.
