Indonesia targets US talks to counter tariff impact

Indonesia is set to hold a week-long series of trade, investment, and financial-sector talks in Washington from April 16 to 23 as it seeks to avert or soften planned US tariffs that could impact key exports such as palm oil, apparel, and footwear. Led by Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto, the delegation will propose new investment opportunities in the US oil and gas and information technology sectors, and offer to narrow the trade gap by importing more American goods. The talks with senior US officials come as Indonesia, one of the hardest-hit economies by proposed tariff hikes, recorded an USD18bn trade surplus with the US last year. The government is also expected to address local content rules and broader economic cooperation.