TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto explained that the United States’ request to access Indonesia’s critical minerals is part of ongoing reciprocal tariff negotiations
He emphasized that this is not a new issue, as several US companies have already invested in Indonesia.
One of the key minerals under discussion is copper. Airlangga highlighted the US-based mining company Freeport McMoran, which has been operating in Indonesia since 1967.
“So for Indonesia, critical minerals and America are not something new, but something that has been ongoing,” he told journalists at Pondok Indah Mall in Jakarta on Friday, December 26, 2025.
Airlangga also revealed that there are ongoing discussions between Danantara and the US export body, as well as between US companies and Indonesian critical mineral firms.
These discussions cover business-to-business processes related to accessing the minerals.
In addition to copper, other critical minerals the US is interested in include nickel, bauxite, and rare earth metals.
“They need access for automotive, aircraft, rockets, and military defense equipment,” Airlangga said.
The trade tariff agreement between Indonesia and the US is targeted for completion in early 2026. President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump are expected to sign the Agreement on Reciprocal Tariff (ART) by the end of January 2026.
“At the moment, the US is arranging the right time for the planned meeting between the two leaders,” Airlangga said during a virtual press conference from Washington, D.C., on Monday, December 3, 2025, Jakarta time, after meeting with Ambassador Jamieson Greer of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
Airlangga confirmed that both countries have agreed on the content of the ART, which continues the joint statement released on July 22. The agreement reduced US import tariffs on Indonesian products from 32 percent to 19 percent.
“The US granted exceptions to our leading products such as palm oil, coffee, and tea, and of course, America is very hopeful to gain access to critical minerals,” he said during another virtual press conference on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Jakarta time.
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