TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following Donald Trump's victory in the US Presidential Election, economists have been concerned with the occurrence of trade war. Economist and rector of Paramadina University Firmanzah hopes that President-elect Trump will not realized programs that he presented during his campaign.
"If [Trump] delivered promises he made during the campaign, it would be really painful. We are concerned with trade war that may have impact on us," Firmanzah told Tempo at the Vice Presidential Office in Jakarta on Thursday, November 10, 2016.
Firmanzah added that Trump's programs had triggered concerns among many countries, including Indonesia. One of the programs is the imposition of 40 percent of import duty for products from China and 30 percent from Mexico. If such programs were to be realized, Firmanzah said, China and Mexico would take the same measure.
Firmanzah predicted that the United States could impose high import duties for products from other countries, including Indonesia. Therefore, Firmanzah concluded that Trump’s programs could have impacts on Indonesia's economy.
"Based on the data on our exports in the first semester, the US has been the top export destination," Firmanzah revealed.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati hopes that the national economy would not be affected by the shock of Trump’s victory.
"We will monitor the market reaction [to Trump's victory]," Sri Mulyani said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.
Sri Mulyani expressed optimism that Indonesia would not be affected by Trump's victory. Sri Mulyani added that Indonesia's economy could survive the sentiment based on the economic growth, fiscal management and financing balance.
AMIRULLAH| ISTMAN M.P.