Indonesia Asks US to Drop Import Duty on Palm Oil, Cocoa, Rubber

JAKARTA, November 4, 2025 – The Ministry for Economic Affairs announced that Indonesia is asking the United States to eliminate the import duty (tariff) on palm oil, cocoa and rubber. The request will be taken to bilateral talks after the APEC (Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit scheduled for late November 2025.

Currently, the United States imposes a reciprocal import duty of 19 % on Indonesian goods, after initially considering a 32 % rate. Indonesia argues that products not produced in the US qualify for a zero‑percent tariff through measured bilateral negotiations.

Achieving a zero duty could boost Indonesian exporters’ competitiveness, improve the trade balance, and align with fair‑trade objectives. The government remains committed to economic diplomacy that safeguards national interests.