Jakarta. Senior minister Airlangga Hartarto revealed Thursday night that he had just hosted US chief agricultural negotiator Julie Callahan in his Jakarta office, just a few weeks before the scheduled signing of the bilateral trade deal.

In a social media post, Airlangga revealed that the meeting had zeroed in on the tariffs in bilateral agricultural trade. Airlangga had just returned from Washington about two weeks ago, during which he met Callahan’s boss Jamieson Greer. The latest developments marked a win for Indonesian palm oil as the agricultural commodity could enter the US market tariff-free. However, other products, including manufactured goods, are still subject to a 19% import tax.

“We affirmed Indonesia’s commitment to push for a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade. We seek more competitive market access for Indonesia’s leading agricultural products,” Airlangga said, commenting on his talks with Callahan.

This ranges from sustainable palm oil, cacao, coffee, spices, to value-added agroindustry products, according to Airlangga.

Jakarta hopes that its partnership with Washington extends beyond tariffs and also aims to enhance standards, sustainability, and global supply chain integration. “This way, the Indonesian agricultural sector can be more competitive and bring tangible benefits for both farmers and businesses,” Airlangga said.

President Prabowo Subianto is set to head to Washington by the end of this month to sign the trade agreement. Both governments will soon meet to check on the final document before the signing.

US President Donald Trump launched the capricious tariff policies in April, even initially threatening a 32% import tax on Indonesian goods before slashing them to 19% after months of negotiations. Indonesia has pledged to import $4.5 billion worth of agricultural products, including soybeans, wheat, and cotton, among others. In November, the Trump administration rolled back its reciprocal tariffs on a wide range of agricultural goods, including cocoa, coffee, and spices.

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