Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Indonesia recorded a $10.69 billion trade deficit with China in the first half of 2025, the largest among its trading partners with which it posted a negative trade balance, according to figures released by the central Statistics Agency (BPS) on Friday.
From January to June, Indonesia exported $29.31 billion worth of goods to China while importing $40 billion – reflecting a persistent trade imbalance with its largest commercial partner.
Indonesia's top imports from China included machinery and mechanical appliances and parts ($9.15 billion), electrical machinery and equipment ($8.09 billion), and vehicles and parts ($2.18 billion).
Australia ranked as Indonesia's second-largest bilateral trade deficit during the same period, amounting to $2.39 billion. Indonesia exported just $1.81 billion to Australia while importing $4.2 billion. Major contributors to the deficit included cereals ($650 million), mineral fuels ($650 million), and precious metals and jewelry ($480 million).
The third-largest trade gap came from Brazil, where Indonesia recorded an $830 million deficit. Exports to Brazil reached $1.14 billion, while imports totaled $1.96 billion.
Despite these bilateral deficits, Indonesia posted an overall trade surplus of $19.48 billion in the first half of 2025 – a 25 percent increase compared to the $15.58 billion surplus recorded during the same period last year. Total exports reached $135.41 billion, while imports stood at $115.94 billion.
Indonesia's trade surplus has now extended to 66 consecutive months, spanning from the start of President Joko Widodo's second term and continuing into the first eight months of President Prabowo Subianto's administration.