JAKARTA: Indonesia will reduce oil and gas imports from Middle Eastern and Asian countries, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said, as Jakarta moves to implement its $15 billion energy deal with the US under the latest tariff agreement.
Indonesia is among three Southeast Asian countries that have struck deals with Washington so far, following negotiations with US President Donald Trump to lower tariff rates.
Jakarta has agreed to increase its imports from the US by more than $22 billion — including energy products — under the framework trade deal, while US tariffs on Indonesian imports would be set at 19 percent.
“We have agreed to buy $15 billion worth of gasoline, crude oil and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), which we will do in steps by considering its economic viability. The prices must be competitive, and now we’re designing a framework for it,” Lahadalia told reporters in Jakarta on Monday.
“We will reduce (imports) from other countries (in) the Middle East and Asia.”
