President Prabowo Convenes Economic Ministers Ahead of U.S. Trade Talks
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: President Prabowo Subianto convened several senior economic ministers at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on Sunday afternoon to deliberate Indonesia’s strategic approach to upcoming economic negotiations with the United States.
In a statement issued in Jakarta, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the president underscored two principal directives during the meeting.
First, the president stressed that every stance Indonesia adopts in economic negotiations with any country must firmly safeguard and advance the national interest. The immediate priority, he noted, is comprehensive preparation for economic talks with the United States, which are scheduled to commence in the near future.
“A deal with the United States, especially in the near term, is the best and most beneficial for Indonesia,” Teddy quoted the president as saying.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, President Prabowo aims for negotiations to not only secure favorable terms but also enhance domestic industrial productivity and reinforce Indonesia’s role within the global industrial supply chain.
Secondly, the president emphasized that economic cooperation should transcend short-term objectives and contribute to strengthening the structural foundation of the national industry.
President Prabowo further directed that every economic policy adopted by the government must deliver tangible and timely benefits to the Indonesian people. These guidelines, Teddy noted, are intended to help ministers formulate strategic measures that are swift, measurable, and capable of directly accelerating national economic growth.
Among those present at the meeting were Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
President Prabowo is scheduled to visit the United States on February 19, 2026, where he is expected to sign a reciprocal trade agreement (ART) with U.S. President Donald Trump and attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace.
Coordinating Minister Hartarto stated that the details of the tariff agreement remain under finalization. He noted that Indonesian export tariffs to the United States have been reduced from 32 percent to 19 percent, urging the public to await the formal conclusion of the process.
