Fedina S. Sundaryani, Jakarta – The government seems largely unfazed by United States President Donald Trump's executive order to investigate the "trade imbalance" between the US and 16 countries, including Indonesia.

Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said Indonesia had nothing to worry about regarding the order because it exported commodities and manufactured goods to the US that did not compete with those produced in that country.

"What we produce are not goods that compete with theirs, not like those from China. [The US] might think that the things they import are goods that beat out their own products, but the products from Indonesia are not the same as they make," he told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

"It is not a matter of whether we should be concerned or not. Even if [the US] makes such a policy, are we expected to reduce our exports? That's just bizarre."

Indonesia was in 15th position on the list, with a US$13 billion trade surplus with the US, followed by Canada with an $11 billion surplus.

China was in first place with a $347 billion surplus, followed by Japan, Germany, Mexico, Ireland, Vietnam, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, India, Thailand, France, Switzerland and Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the US had already notified Indonesia about the executive order. Although the Indonesian government was not worried, Sri Muyani said the government "still needs to be on the lookout". (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/04/03/indonesia-unfazed-by-trump-executive-order.html