Trump slaps Indonesia with 32-percent tariff

Jakarta (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump has imposed a near-universal tariff on products imported from foreign countries to the United States, with Indonesia not being an exception.

As published by the White House Instagram account and observed here on Thursday, Indonesia was slapped with a 32-percent import tariff.

The so-called "reciprocal tariff" imposed by the US targets Indonesia and at least 60 other countries. The US government claims Indonesia charges a 64-percent import tariff on its products.

Indonesia was not the only Southeast Asian country hit by the tariff; fellow ASEAN members Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia received 49, 46, 36, and 24-percent tariffs, respectively.

The Trump administration also imposed a 10-percent basic tariff on other countries, including trade partners like the United Kingdom, and a 39-percent tariff on the European Union.

As reported by Kyodo news agency, Trump called the reciprocal tariff imposition the "Liberation Day" for the United States and said it aims to create more jobs domestically.

The president also alleged that the US has long been "disadvantaged" by many countries due to "unfair trade practices."

Since returning to the White House last January, Trump has imposed new tariffs on various commodities, including 25-percent levies on all cars produced outside the US and all imported steel and aluminum products.

According to a White House official, the 10-percent universal tariff will be enforced on Saturday (April 5), while the reciprocal tariffs against Indonesia and 60 other countries will apply next Wednesday (April 9).