March 18, 2026 | 01:30 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has prepared strong arguments and evidence to face the United States' investigation into the trading practices of several countries, including Indonesia. This step was taken after the U.S. initiated an investigation based on Section 301 as part of ongoing trade negotiations with several countries.
The investigation under section 301(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 targets the policies or actions of several countries that engage in unfair trading practices or harm U.S. economic interests. The investigation concerns overcapacity and structural production issues in the manufacturing sector.
"The Indonesian government has been trying to anticipate from the start that the preparation process for the requirements in this investigation will be well-prepared," said the spokesperson for the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Haryo Limanseto, in an official statement on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
This investigation is carried out against the actions, policies, and specific foreign economic practices suspected of creating or maintaining excess capacity and structural production in the manufacturing sector. In addition, it is also related to the failure to effectively enforce the ban on the import of goods produced using forced labor.
According to Haryo, both of these issues have actually been discussed in the documents of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). "So, what is most important at this point is that we are preparing arguments that Indonesia has implemented or has provisions to secure these issues," he said.
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the investigation on March 11, 2026. "The investigation will determine whether these actions, policies, and practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. trade," as stated on the official White House website.
The countries being investigated include China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.
Read: US Trade Pact Risks Retaliation Against Indonesia, Economist Warns
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