Prabowo Considering Candidates for Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Amid Ongoing Trade Talks
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi has confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto is currently reviewing four to five potential candidates for the post of Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, a position that has remained vacant for nearly two years.
The ambassadorship has been unoccupied since July 17, 2023, when Rosan Perkasa Roeslani resigned following his appointment as Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises.
“There are several names that have been discussed by the President with several related ministers and parties. Insya Allah, he (the President) will make a decision soon,” Hadi told journalists during a press briefing at the Presidential Palace on Friday.
While declining to reveal the names under consideration, Hadi emphasized that the President is weighing a number of key criteria before making a final appointment.
“There are many requirements, including diplomatic acumen and economic expertise, particularly in managing our trade relations with the United States. Experience is also an important factor,” he said.
The selection comes at a critical juncture in Indonesia–United States relations, as both countries are currently engaged in negotiations over reciprocal import tariffs. These talks are being led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a baseline import tariff of 10 percent on all countries and a reciprocal tariff of 32 percent targeting several nations, including Indonesia. However, Washington has since imposed a 90-day moratorium on implementing reciprocal tariffs against Indonesia and other countries.
In response, the Indonesian government dispatched a high-level delegation to Washington, D.C., headed by Minister Hartarto. During his visit, he met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Chief Jamieson Greer.
Following the meetings, both delegations agreed to enter a 60-day period of intensive negotiations starting May 20. The scope of these discussions includes import licensing, digital trade, Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions (CDET), pre-shipment inspections, surveyor obligations, and domestic content requirements (TKDN) in the industrial sector.
The negotiations will also address the implementation of reciprocal tariffs and initiatives to enhance market access between the two nations.
Minister Hartarto, during a press conference in Washington on May 18, outlined several Indonesian proposals aimed at strengthening bilateral trade ties. Among these were offers to increase imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline, and crude oil from the U.S., as well as plans to boost Indonesian exports of agricultural products such as wheat, soybeans, and soy milk. Additionally, Indonesia is set to increase its purchases of capital goods from the U.S.
The appointment of a new ambassador is expected to further bolster diplomatic and economic engagements between Jakarta and Washington at a time of evolving trade dynamics and strategic cooperation.
