India-US trade deal pending, Trump confident on access.
Donald Trump announced that the United States has successfully reached a trade agreement with Indonesia following a conversation with the country’s President, Joko Widodo, who is also known as Prabowo Subianto. The agreement marks a significant development in strengthening economic ties between the two nations. Trump emphasized the importance of expanding trade partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region and praised the Indonesian leadership for its commitment to mutual economic growth. This new deal is expected to enhance cooperation, boost exports, and create new opportunities for American and Indonesian businesses alike.
Trump Signals Progress on India Trade Deal, Highlights Breakthrough with Indonesia
**Washington, D.C. – Trump, speaking confidently about the ongoing discussions, declared, *“We’re going to have access into India,”* highlighting what he sees as a breakthrough in the traditionally complex trade relationship between the two democracies.
The statement was made during a press interaction where Trump touted the accomplishments of his administration’s trade policy, particularly its use of tariffs to bring countries to the negotiating table and open previously inaccessible foreign markets to American businesses. He reiterated that the administration’s aggressive stance on tariffs was yielding measurable results and said that the strategy was forcing key trading partners to reassess long-standing protectionist barriers.
“You have to understand,” Trump said, “we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldn’t go in.
While trade talks with India are still in the works, Trump appeared optimistic that a comprehensive agreement would soon be realised. His remarks came as part of a broader commentary on international trade negotiations, where he drew a direct comparison between the India talks and a newly reached trade agreement with Indonesia.
Just days earlier, Trump announced what he described as a “finalised” trade pact with Indonesia, marking a significant diplomatic and economic development. He said the deal followed a recent phone call with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is also widely known by his political name, Prabowo Subianto.
But we have full access to everything. We will pay no tariffs.
Trump described the agreement as a substantial win for American exporters, particularly those in the resource and manufacturing sectors. According to Trump, the deal eliminates tariffs entirely for U.S. exports to Indonesia, a nation that is one of Southeast Asia’s largest economies and a major player in global commodity markets. He specifically highlighted Indonesia’s strength in copper, an essential metal used in construction, electronics, and renewable energy infrastructure.
The President also noted that the Indonesian government had agreed to impose a reduced tariff of 19 percent on selected goods—a significant drop from previous rates that hovered much higher—though further details on specific categories of imports and exemptions were not immediately disclosed.
Trump announced the agreement via his Truth Social platform, calling it “a landmark moment for American trade in Southeast Asia.” The White House, however, has not released an official statement detailing the specific terms of the deal, and Indonesian officials had yet to publicly comment on the agreement at the time of publication. This lack of confirmation from Jakarta has led to some ambiguity over whether the deal is fully operational or still in a preliminary phase.
In recent years, the Trump administration has adopted a bold, transactional approach to trade diplomacy, frequently utilising tariffs as leverage to achieve what it views as fairer terms for American businesses. Trump and his trade advisors have consistently argued that previous administrations allowed foreign nations to erect one-sided barriers to American goods and services, and that strong action was needed to reset the balance.
This philosophy is clearly reflected in Trump’s posture toward India. Despite being the world’s largest democracy and a key U.S. strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region, India has traditionally maintained high tariffs and regulatory barriers that have frustrated U.S. exporters. While the two countries enjoy strong bilateral ties in defense and technology, trade friction has persisted for years.
Multiple rounds of talks between Indian and U.S. trade negotiators have taken place over the last few years, with discussions often hitting roadblocks on issues like agricultural market access, medical device pricing, digital services taxation, and tariffs on American-made goods like motorcycles and dairy products.
Nonetheless, both sides have expressed interest in overcoming these obstacles, especially amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and a shared interest in reducing dependency on China. Trump’s comments on Tuesday appear aimed at sending a strong message that the U.S. is ready to close the deal — and that his administration sees trade liberalisation as mutually beneficial for both nations.
Experts say that if finalised, the U.S.-India trade deal could serve as a powerful signal of growing economic alignment between two of the world’s largest democracies. It could also pave the way for deeper cooperation in critical sectors such as energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce.
For now, while the India agreement remains a work in progress, the announcement regarding Indonesia is already being hailed by American business groups as a positive development. However, questions remain about its long-term implementation and the reaction from Indonesia’s domestic industries, which may seek additional safeguards or clarification.
As Trump continues to pursue trade agreements that align with his “America First” economic policy, the coming weeks may offer further clarity on both the India deal and the wider implications of the U.S.-Indonesia pact.