Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
Democrats Question Intelligence Chief’s Role in FBI Georgia Election Raid 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
Trump Threatens Aircraft Tariffs as U.S.-Canada Jet Certification Dispute Escalates 
Christian Menefee Wins Texas Special Election, Narrowing GOP House Majority 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Trump Warns UK and Canada Against Deepening Business Ties With China 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Trump Says Fed Pick Kevin Warsh Could Win Democratic Support in Senate Confirmation 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Philippine Economy Slows in Late 2025, Raising Expectations of Further Rate Cuts 
Trump Administration Expands Global Gag Rule, Restricting U.S. Foreign Aid to Diversity and Gender Programs 
A landmark U.S.-Indonesia trade agreement announced in July is now in jeopardy, as U.S. officials say Indonesia is stepping back from critical commitments made during negotiations. According to a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity, Jakarta is now questioning several elements of the deal, raising concerns in Washington about the future of the agreement.
The original deal, unveiled on July 15 and touted by President Donald Trump as a major victory for American industries, included Indonesia’s pledge to remove tariffs on more than 99% of U.S. goods and eliminate non-tariff barriers that have long hindered American companies. In return, the United States agreed to scale back proposed tariffs on Indonesian exports to 19% from 32%.
However, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was recently informed by Indonesian officials that the country cannot commit to certain binding provisions and is seeking to reframe its obligations. U.S. officials fear that altering these terms would result in a weaker agreement than those recently finalized with Malaysia and Cambodia. Both countries had cooperated closely with the U.S., with Malaysia notably removing thousands of tariff lines to facilitate smoother trade flows.
A report by the Financial Times indicated that Indonesia may be retreating from commitments to dismantle non-tariff barriers on key U.S. industrial and agricultural exports, as well as its promises to address digital trade challenges—an increasingly vital area in global commerce.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed these concerns last week, describing Indonesia as “recalcitrant” regarding the deal, though he offered no further details. With negotiations at a sensitive stage, no official comment has yet been released by the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.
As both nations navigate this setback, the future of the trade pact remains uncertain, raising questions about potential impacts on U.S. exporters, regional trade dynamics, and ongoing economic cooperation between Washington and Jakarta.
