Indonesia and the US have formally agreed on a framework to negotiate a reciprocal trade agreement. A joint statement confirms the US has requested Indonesia lift export restrictions on industrial products, including critical minerals.
Hendra Sinadia, Executive Director of the Indonesia Mining Association (IMA), stated the association awaits official government clarification. Current policy mandates Indonesia's mineral processing, he emphasized in Jakarta on July 24, 2025. All extracted minerals must undergo value-added processing before export. Resuming raw shipments would undermine Indonesia's successful downstream strategy.
Septian Hario Seto, member of the National Economic Committee (DEN), clarified the agreement targets processed minerals from domestic smelters, not raw ores. Indonesia's raw mineral export ban remains unchanged, he affirmed.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
