Based on statements of officials at Indonesia’s Trade Ministry, the USA started its investigation into the trade deficits the USA has with 16 countries, including Indonesia. Two months ago US President Donald Trump ordered this trade probe as part of his “America First” policy. Trump wants the USA to have the upper hand (meaning a trade surplus) in trade relations. Indonesian Trade Ministry officials confirmed over the weekend that US officials have been requesting documents that could explain the cause of the US trade deficit with regard to Indonesia-USA trade. Data from Indonesia’s Trade Ministry show Indonesia recorded a US$8.84 billion trade surplus with the USA in 2016, while the US officials claim Indonesia’s trade surplus was actually US$13 billion that year.
