PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The Indonesian government is pushing to secure zero import tariffs for several of its top export commodities—including cocoa, coffee, and palm oil—entering the United States (U.S.) market.
According to Deputy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moergiarso, Indonesia’s negotiation team is actively engaging with U.S. trade representatives. The goal is to exempt commodities not produced domestically in the U.S. from tariff burdens.
“If possible, we want these products excluded from reciprocal tariffs. Our aim is zero percent because the export potential is significant,” Susiwijono said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from Antara on Wednesday (Aug 20).
Also Read: 86 Aceh Palm Oil Farmers Receive Training to Boost Yields
He highlighted that cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and critical minerals are high-value commodities that play a major role in Indonesia’s trade balance. The government has already submitted a formal list of products to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for tariff exemption consideration.
Currently, Indonesia faces a reciprocal tariff of 19 percent with the U.S.—one of the lowest in Southeast Asia, after Singapore, which enjoys just 10 percent. This tariff adjustment was recently announced by Washington and applies to 92 countries.
Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed that the U.S. had already granted zero tariff status for copper concentrate and copper cathodes. The Indonesian government is now advocating for the same treatment to be extended to other strategic commodities, including crude palm oil (CPO), rubber, meranti wood, and copper derivatives.
This move is expected to boost Indonesia’s global competitiveness while opening wider export opportunities to the U.S. market. (P3)
