For decades, Washington sold influence with blueprints: policy papers, trade pacts, strategic dialogues.
But Indonesia just proved that power lives where goods are made and demand flows.
Indonesia, the world’s 4th most populous nation, largest Muslim democracy, and a rising manufacturing hub, walked away from high-level trade talks in Washington.
U.S. media called it “a scheduling issue.”
In truth, it was a cold rejection.
The backdrop:
- U.S. imposes 10% across-the-board tariffs
- Slaps 32% duties on Indonesian goods
- Then expects Jakarta to show up for negotiations like a junior partner.
Jakarta declined the invitation with silence because it has cards to play.
- Nickel and battery material reserves
- A young workforce
- Access to China and ASEAN
- Manufacturing growth that serves both BRICS and the West
This is not a country looking for permission.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-13/indonesia-scraps-plan-to-send-delegation-to-us-for-tariff-talks
