Indonesia seeks closer trade and investment ties with US businesses
Discussions with the US-ASEAN Business Council covered reciprocal trade and support for Indonesian micro, small and medium enterprises.
Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso urged US businesses to deepen trade and investment cooperation during an October 28 meeting in Jakarta with Ambassador Brian D. McFeeters, president and CEO of the United States-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC).
In a statement, Santoso described the US as an important trading partner and welcomed the council's role in connecting businesses from the two countries. The delegation included representatives from information and communications technology, business consulting, aviation and aerospace.
Participants discussed progress on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), opportunities for further cooperation and support for Indonesian micro, small and medium enterprises. US business representatives also raised bilateral trade questions and offered input.
McFeeters said the council was prepared to help Indonesia pursue its economic targets and offer recommendations to improve economic performance.
Trade between Indonesia and the US reached US$32.34 billion from January to August 2026. Indonesian exports accounted for US$22.40 billion, while imports were US$9.94 billion. Indonesia recorded a surplus of US$12.47 billion, with the US remaining its largest source of trade surplus.
For 2025, bilateral trade amounted to US$43.87 billion, with a five-year growth trend of 3.11 per cent over 2021–2025. Indonesia exported US$30.95 billion and imported US$12.92 billion, recording a US$18.02 billion surplus.
