TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is likely to scrap its plan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership if the United States withdraws from the forum, Dewi Fortuna Anwar, deputy for government policy supports at the Vice Presidential Secretariat said on Wednesday, January 25, 2017.
“So, the focus is to build a mutual bilateral relationship,” Dewi said after welcoming the US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph Donovan at the Vice Presidential Office in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 25, 2017.
On the other hand, the government doubts that President Donald Trump would implement a protectionism policy.
Dewi viewed that any policy implemented by the US would have impacts on other countries. In terms of protectionism, Dewi believes that China will be significantly affected.
“Any effect felt by China will also have impacts on Indonesia,” she said.
Based on the meeting between Ambassador Donovan and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Dewi revealed the US would prefer to prioritize fair trade, which would be more visible in a bilateral relationship.
Ambassador Donovan said that the meeting did not mainly discuss the TPP. He added that the meeting with Kalla was aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
“I believe that fair trade will benefit US workers and companies,” he said.
Donovan added that the US and Indonesia would have an opportunity to strengthen ties in the aviation and energy sectors.
ADITYA BUDIMAN
