Jakarta: Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia is preparing a regulation for Indonesia's planned energy imports, worth up to $15 billion from the United States, following a recent tariff agreement between the two nations. Lahadalia mentioned that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will collaborate with Pertamina, the state-run oil and gas company, to implement this initiative.
According to Emirates News Agency, Lahadalia stated that he will convene a technical meeting with Pertamina to discuss the specific energy commodities to be imported, with crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) already identified as key imports. Pertamina has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its US partner for crude oil, while the increase in LPG imports is currently in the exploratory phase.
Earlier statements from Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Pertamina, confirmed the signing of the MoU with the US partner, which aligns with Indonesia's proposal to the US to lower the reciprocal tariff previously set at 32%. Pertamina aims to increase the share of LPG imports from the US to 60% of its total LPG imports, up from 57% in 2024.
US President Donald Trump previously announced on Truth Social that he and Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto reached a deal to open Indonesia's market to the United States. Under this agreement, Indonesia will impose a 19% tariff on its exports to the US, while US exports to Indonesia will be free from tariff and non-tariff barriers. The agreement also includes Indonesia's commitment to purchasing $15 billion worth of energy, alongside $4.5 billion of agricultural products and 50 Boeing aircraft from the US.
