Internal letter warns reciprocal trade agreement imposes unilateral obligations

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry raised concerns earlier this year that a draft reciprocal trade agreement with the United States remained one-sided and imposed disproportionate obligations on Indonesia.

Internal Letter Flags Imbalance
A letter dated January 10, 2026, was sent to the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy outlining six concerns about the draft Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States.

Signed electronically by L. Amrih Jinangkung, Director-General for Legal Affairs and International Treaties at the Foreign Ministry, the letter stated that the draft remained one-sided following negotiations held on December 22, 2025.

High-Level Review Meeting
Amrih’s assessment followed an internal Foreign Ministry meeting on January 9 chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno.

The meeting was attended by Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United States, Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo, and senior officials who reviewed the implications of the proposed trade terms.

Warning of Unilateral Obligations
According to the letter, the latest draft imposed unilateral obligations on Indonesia rather than establishing reciprocal commitments.

“The continuation of negotiations must ensure that the ART regulates balanced obligations for Indonesia and the United States,” the letter stated.

Sent Ahead of Washington Talks
The letter was delivered just before Indonesia’s negotiation team, led by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, departed for Washington, D.C.

Amrih provided detailed recommendations on the positions Indonesia should adopt during discussions aimed at finalizing the trade agreement.

Legal Uncertainty Over US Tariffs
In his sixth point, Amrih advised negotiators to consider ongoing domestic legal challenges in the United States concerning President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

At the time, the tariff measures were under review by the US Supreme Court, adding uncertainty to the broader trade environment.

The internal correspondence highlights concerns within Indonesia’s government over the balance of obligations in the proposed trade pact. As negotiations continue, officials appear cautious about ensuring the agreement protects Indonesia’s economic and legal interests.

Sources: EN Tempo (2026) , Indonesia at Melbourne (2026)

Keywords: Indonesia US ART Draft, Unequal Trade Deal Indonesia, Airlangga Washington Talks, Trump Tariff Policy Review, Jakarta Trade Negotiations