Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) recently met with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington, D.C. (05/02) to strengthen trade and investment cooperation between Indonesia and the U.S., particularly in the garment and footwear sectors.
Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Chairman of Kadin Indonesia, met with Sarah Ellerman, Chief Negotiator for Southeast Asia at USTR, to discuss potential partnership schemes. This meeting was part of a series of strategic discussions conducted by Kadin Indonesia in Washington D.C., which have already resulted in several cooperation agreements, including with the National Dairy Council, Export Council, US Chamber of Commerce, and US-ASEAN Business Council.
This move is expected to expand partnership networks while strengthening Indonesia’s position in global trade. Anindya also emphasized the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation, stating, “The key is a win-win outcome—beneficial for Indonesia and the United States. They welcomed this approach.”
Exploring agricultural products
During these strategic meetings, Kadin Indonesia also engaged with several global brands that manufacture garments and shoes in Indonesia, such as Nike, The North Face, Timberland, and Vans. “These companies have direct communication channels with the U.S. government and Congress, which can be leveraged to advocate against high tariffs on Indonesian products. This is one of the key missions of our visit,” Anindya emphasized.
Currently, Nike exports around 200 million pairs of shoes annually from Indonesia and has expressed satisfaction with the country’s business climate. Kadin urged the brand to increase its import quota from Indonesia, as the current share is only 6-7%, far below Vietnam’s 50%.
Looking ahead, Anindya is optimistic that bilateral trade between Indonesia and the U.S. could double from around $40 billion to $80 billion. Additionally, garment and footwear exports are expected to rise, potentially creating up to 200,000 new jobs. He added, “Our main goal is not just market access but also job creation and supporting businesses, including MSMEs.”
Beyond garments and shoes, Kadin Indonesia also discussed with the Foreign Agricultural Service under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to explore opportunities in agricultural products and derivatives, including soybeans, cotton, dairy, and corn-based bioethanol. In closing, Anindya noted that this cooperation could strengthen national programs like free nutritious meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis—MBG), which require protein supplies from soybeans and dairy.
