Jakarta. In just nine months as president, Prabowo Subianto has traveled to more foreign capitals than many of his predecessors in their first year in office. But it’s not ceremony or diplomacy for diplomacy’s sake. Behind his high-frequency international trips lies a strategic effort: securing Indonesia’s place in global trade amid shifting geopolitical winds.

That effort paid off this week on two fronts.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced a key tariff cut for Indonesian products, reducing the so-called “reciprocal tariff” from 32 percent to 19 percent.

“Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia. I dealt directly with their highly respected president. DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

In return, Trump claimed the deal would open Indonesia’s market to US products “for the first time in history.”

The announcement came just two days after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed a breakthrough in a decade-long negotiation with Indonesia. Standing beside Prabowo in Brussels, she confirmed the conclusion of the landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a free trade deal expected to eliminate tariffs on 80 percent of Indonesia’s exports to the EU within one to two years.

“After 10 years of negotiations, we have achieved a breakthrough. So, Mr. President, I want to thank you for your leadership,” von der Leyen said during a joint news conference.

Beyond tariff elimination, the EU granted multi-entry Schengen visa privileges for Indonesian nationals returning for a second visit -- a step seen as both symbolic and practical in strengthening ties.

Balancing Global Powers
What makes these achievements notable is Prabowo’s balancing act between competing global powers. Just weeks earlier, he chose to attend a summit in Russia hosted by President Vladimir Putin instead of the G7 Summit in Canada, a move watched closely by Western capitals.

“I was asked why I didn’t attend the G7 Summit. It’s not because I don’t respect the G7, but because I gave my commitment to attend this forum before their invitation came. That’s the only reason,” Prabowo said in St Petersburg, while also pointing out that Russia and China “are the defenders of developing countries’ interests.”

Yet in Brussels, Prabowo was careful not to alienate either Washington or Brussels. When asked whether the EU had replaced the US as Indonesia’s top economic partner, he diplomatically replied that both are equally important.

Prabowo’s approach mirrors Indonesia’s larger foreign policy strategy: fostering strong ties with major global economies while staying aligned with the Global South.

At last month’s BRICS Summit in Brazil -- Indonesia’s first as an official member -- Prabowo helped secure Jakarta’s position in the bloc, drawing sharp remarks from Trump, who threatened an additional 10 percent tariff on BRICS countries.

“Any country aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10 percent tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump posted shortly after the summit.

Instead, Trump awarded Jakarta with a lower tariff.

In just nine months of his presidency, Prabowo has travelled to China, the US, the UK, Japan, India, Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and France.

The Team Behind the Deals
While Prabowo takes the spotlight abroad, much of the groundwork is handled by Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto. Over the past three months, Airlangga has traveled repeatedly between Jakarta, Washington, and Brussels to push Indonesia’s trade priorities.

Airlangga’s strategy is straightforward: secure lower tariffs for Indonesia than other emerging economies, particularly Vietnam, Indonesia’s key competitor in exports like furniture, textiles, and agriculture. Trump’s latest tariff adjustment now places Indonesia slightly below Vietnam’s 20 percent rate.

Airlangga has kept Indonesian media updated with regular briefings -- often in the middle of the night Jakarta time -- from both Washington and Brussels.

Other key figures in the government’s economic diplomacy push include Foreign Minister Sugiono, Trade Minister Budi Santoso, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani. Each has worked to finalize trade and investment agreements across multiple regions, from energy partnerships with the UK and Russia to market access deals with Australia, India, and China.

Looking Ahead
Indonesia now finds itself at the center of multiple major economic frameworks: a finalized free trade pact with the EU, renewed trade terms with the US, BRICS membership, and active negotiations with partners including Turkey, Australia, and China.

What ties all these efforts together is an overarching goal: ensuring Indonesia’s competitiveness on the global stage, particularly in key industries such as clean energy, digital technology, and labor-intensive exports.

Prabowo’s international calendar is expected to remain just as busy in the months ahead.

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