U.S. Businesses See Signs of Protectionist Shift in Indonesia
- Indonesia imposing non-tariff barriers, former ambassador says
- Trade official says import rules favor local producers
Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
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U.S. businesses are sensing a shift toward more protectionist policies in Indonesia in recent months even as President Joko Widodo is seeking to lure foreign investment into Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.
Michael Michalak, regional managing director of the U.S.-Asean Business Council, said Indonesia’s government has imposed non-tariff barriers on agricultural goods such as corn, and other U.S. imports, a source of frustration for U.S. businesses. That contrasts with the freer trade stance in other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines, he said.