US, Indonesia Finalize Trade Deal

Is the trade agreement a diplomatic victory or a raw deal that hurts American consumers?

Published 9 hours ago

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Above: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 19. Image credit: @USTradeRep/X

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

This deal is a significant diplomatic victory for both the U.S. and Indonesia. Through tough negotiations and bargaining, these countries have secured a win-win agreement that will mark the beginning of a golden age for U.S.-Indonesian relations, one that reduces tariffs on Indonesia to among the lowest in Asia and secures fair trading terms for the U.S.

Trump White House Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia

Government-critical narrative

Once again, the Trump administration has exposed its utter lack of economic understanding, celebrating a deal that places a 19% tax on American consumers, while their Indonesian counterparts pay nothing. Through disastrous terms like these, this presidency is not strengthening the American consumer but crippling them with every trade blunder.

Peter Schiff on X

Spencer Hakimian on X