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View all search resultsIndonesia prepares defense to US forced labor tariff threat
Jakarta has strengthened its safeguards against forced-labor imports through Trade Minister Regulation No. 9/2026, issued earlier this year, which seeks to ensure imported goods are not produced using forced labor.
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President Prabowo Subianto (left) speaks to United States President Donald Trump (right) on Feb. 19, 2026, during the signing of the US-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Tariffs (ART) in Washington, DC. The trade deal locks in tariff rates and nontariff barriers to commerce between Indonesia and the US. (Courtesy of Presidential Secretariat/White House)
T
he government is reviewing a United States proposal that could subject Indonesian exports to an additional 10 percent tariff under a forced labor trade investigation, while preparing to participate in the next phase of consultations with US trade authorities.
Haryo Limanseto, spokesperson for the Office of the Coordinating Economy Minister, said the government was closely monitoring the preliminary findings of a United States Trade Representative (USTR) investigation conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which examines the policies and practices of several countries in preventing imports of goods produced using forced labor.
“As the discussions are still ongoing, the Indonesian government will continue to communicate constructively with the United States government,” he said to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
“At the same time, the government will continue strengthening the implementation of regulations governing imported goods and ensure that imported products are not produced through business activities involving forced labor practices.”
Haryo stressed that Indonesia remains committed to respecting human rights, protecting workers and implementing labor standards in line with international norms.
"The Indonesian government will take part in the next steps outlined by the USTR, including the upcoming written comment and public hearing processes.”
The statement came in response to the Tuesday announcement by USTR as part of a Section 301 investigation into the importation of goods made with forced labor, as the measure could affect imports from 60 countries, including Indonesia.
