live U.S. continues strikes on Iranian targets for 13th night
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The late...
Indonesia and the United States have finalised a trade agreement lowering U.S. tariffs on Indonesian goods to 19% from 32%, with exemptions secured for palm oil and several other major exports.
The deal was signed in Washington by senior economic minister Airlangga Hartarto and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer during President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to the United States.
Airlangga described the agreement as a “win-win” that respects both countries’ sovereignty, while the White House said the pact would remove trade barriers and advance U.S. economic interests.
Palm oil, which accounts for around 9% of Indonesia’s total exports, will be exempt from the 19% tariff. Indonesia is the largest supplier of palm oil to the United States, accounting for between 61% and 85% of total imports in recent years. Exports were valued at about $3.36 billion in early 2025, significantly higher than those of other suppliers.
Between 2020 and 2025, Indonesia commanded roughly 61% to 90% of the U.S. palm oil market, well ahead of Malaysia, the second-largest supplier, followed by Colombia and Ecuador.
Coffee, cocoa, rubber and spices will also be exempt from tariffs.
Selected clothing and textile products made with U.S.-sourced cotton and synthetic materials will qualify for a zero tariff under a quota mechanism that is still being finalised. The quota will be determined by the volume of U.S. inputs used in production.
In return, Indonesia will remove trade barriers on more than 99% of U.S. imports across sectors including agriculture, healthcare products, seafood, technology and automotive-related goods.
Jakarta has also committed to facilitating over $30 billion in purchases of American goods, including cotton, soybeans, beef, Boeing aircraft and energy supplies.
Indonesia agreed to accept U.S. product standards covering vehicle safety, emissions, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and to address non-tariff barriers such as local content requirements.
The agreement includes measures related to critical minerals, a sector viewed as strategically important by Washington.
Indonesia will ensure production at foreign-owned mineral processing facilities aligns with national mining quotas for nickel, cobalt, bauxite, copper and manganese. It also pledged to take action against foreign-controlled companies operating in ways that harm U.S. trade interests and to facilitate investment in critical minerals and rare earth development.
Airlangga said U.S. requests to include non-economic issues, such as nuclear reactor development and the South China Sea, were dropped during negotiations.
The pact will take effect 90 days after both sides complete the required legal procedures.
During the visit, President Prabowo and President Donald Trump also signed a document titled “Implementation of the Agreement Toward a New Golden Age for the U.S.-Indonesian Alliance,” aimed at strengthening long-term economic security and growth.
Earlier in the week, Indonesian and U.S. companies announced commercial agreements worth $38.4 billion across mining, technology, textiles and other sectors.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. strikes on Iran entered a 12th consecutive night, while Yemen's Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, urging President Donald Trump to warn Tehran it would be held responsible for any future Houthi attacks.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Aleksandar Vučić's visit to Kyiv on 15 July appeared to send a geopolitical signal. But the significance of the trip lies less in the journey itself than in the limits Serbia carefully observed.
Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General have called for restoring the organisation's credibility, strengthening multilateralism and reforming the UN, during the first public town hall debate ahead of a decisive Security Council vote next week.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are facing renewed Western scrutiny after the EU expanded sanctions targeting Russia's supply chains and the U.S. introduced new tariffs affecting trade with Central Asia.
A fast-moving wildfire has forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate homes and camping sites near France's Atlantic coast as extreme heat and worsening drought continue to fuel wildfires across Europe.
Fresh off attracting $4.3 billion in foreign investment and loans during the first half of 2026, Tashkent is using the Global Business Services Forum (GBSF) to showcase Uzbekistan's growing appeal as a destination for international investment in technology, outsourcing and artificial intelligence.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has begun his first week working from No 10 North in Manchester, promising to shift power away from London, strengthen regional decision-making and drive economic growth across the country.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment