The re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States has significantly impacted diplomatic relations with Indonesia.
His “America First” policy and “Make America Great Again” slogan have once again become the cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, directly influencing various areas of cooperation between the two nations.
UGM International Relations expert Professor Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti stated that Trump’s foreign policy tends to prioritize U.S. national interests over multilateral cooperation.
This has raised concerns for Indonesia, which has been active in global environmental issues.
“Trump has once again pulled the U.S. out of several international agreements, including the Paris Agreement on climate change, which was restored by Joe Biden in 2021,” she explained on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
In trade, Trump has reintroduced protectionist policies by increasing import tariffs and reviewing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for Indonesia.
The threat to remove the GSP facility created tensions, although the facility was eventually maintained after lengthy negotiations.
While trade relations continue, Trump’s unilateral approach requires Indonesia to be more cautious in balancing its economic ties with the U.S.
Meanwhile, in defense, military cooperation between Indonesia and the U.S. continues through programs like Garuda Shield.
However, Trump’s tough foreign policy toward China has increased tensions in the South China Sea. Although Indonesia is not a claimant in the dispute, it has direct interests in maintaining the sovereignty of Natuna waters.
“With the growing U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific, Indonesia must be more prudent in balancing relations with both major powers, the U.S. and China,” she said.
Additionally, changes in U.S. policy under Trump have impacted development programs in Indonesia, especially following restrictions on USAID’s role.
USAID had previously played an important part in supporting various development projects in Indonesia, including community empowerment and strengthening healthcare services.
“Under Trump’s new policies, some USAID programs have faced restrictions,” Professor Winanti said.
To navigate these dynamics, she suggested that Indonesia should start taking strategic steps to reduce its dependence on the U.S. One significant move would be to join BRICS, an economic bloc that represents the power of the Global South.
“Indonesia’s entry into BRICS can be seen as an effort to enhance its bargaining power amid the uncertainty of U.S. policies,” she explained.
Professor Winanti also recommended that Indonesia diversify its international funding sources for environmental projects, including through the New Development Bank (NDB).
In defense, she advised strengthening cooperation with countries like Japan and India to ensure security stability without over-relying on the U.S.
“Diversifying strategic partners is key for Indonesia to maintain autonomy and stability amid increasingly complex geopolitical changes,” Professor Winanti emphasized.
U.S. foreign policy under Trump has created new challenges for Indonesia-U.S. bilateral relations. However, through an independent and active diplomacy approach, Indonesia seeks to balance maintaining good relations with the U.S. while strengthening partnerships with other countries.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photo: Defense.gov