Agencies, Jakarta – France could eye future investments in Indonesia in the country's energy, tech, AI (artificial intelligence) and transport sectors, said French trade minister Laurent Saint Martin on Wednesday.
"There are many French companies investing in Indonesia in the energy sector, tech or transportation. There are many sectors in which France excels," he said.
He said the two countries "have a common future with converging strategic visions around major issues".
The foreign trade minister will continue his Asia visit with stops in the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan.
French President Emmanuel Macron is due to visit Indonesia in May.
In Jakarta, Saint Martin also said a tariff war would be "harmful for everyone", as tensions between the European Union and the United States simmer over sweeping US tariffs.
US President Donald Trump announced a 20 percent tariff last week on European goods in his all-out protectionist offensive, higher than a baseline 10 percent he imposed on most countries.
"We never wanted tariffs to escalate. We believe that a tariff war is harmful for everyone," he told reporters in Jakarta.
He called for talks with Washington over the sweeping tariffs to find a solution.
"Under the aegis of the European Commission, we must continue the work of dialogue and negotiation with the US administration in order to achieve the most positive agenda possible," he said.