Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is preparing for a potential probe by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on alleged “unfair trade practices” and forced labor by coordinating with relevant stakeholders to present strong cases and evidence, an official said.
“The Indonesian government is committed to addressing all aspects of the probe properly. This matter has already been discussed under our Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, and we are preparing cases to show that Indonesia has implemented or fulfilled the conditions required,” Spokesperson of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Haryo Limanseto said on Wednesday.
The top ministry is consolidating with relevant ministries and interest groups to ensure that all inputs conveyed are synchronized at all levels and strengthening the case that Indonesia complies with all trade commitments.
He also revealed the plan to establish a specialized, cross-sectoral coordination team to follow up on the USTR probe, prepare the cases for the government, and organize talks with the US agency.
"We expect the consultation will move promptly, and we will present our case that Indonesia is implementing the established regulation," Limanseto said.
Indonesia seeks to prove to the USTR that it complies with international trade laws, takes measures on anti-dumping, countervailing, and forced labor, and has sufficient legal mechanisms in place for violations, he remarked.
The US administration on Wednesday (March 11) launched trade investigations into what it sees as unfair practices by Indonesia, China, Japan, and over a dozen other countries.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the probes, carried out under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are aimed at uncovering "a variety of unfair trading practices related to excess capacity and production in manufacturing."
The probe was considered a step to replace the US administration's sweeping tariff regime, which was invalidated by the Supreme Court last month.
