Presidential Communication Office (PCO) has highlighted the positive outcomes of President Prabowo Subianto’s diplomatic efforts in various countries. These efforts have resulted in the signing of numerous memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and substantial investment commitments from partner nations. According to Philips J. Vermonte, Senior Expert at the PCO, President Prabowo has secured 71 MoUs with 13 countries and investment commitments worth almost IDR 800 trillion from four countries within a year of taking office. This signifies a strategic move to access new markets through Indonesia’s economic diplomacy. The recent public discussion titled “The Fruits of President Prabowo’s Diplomatic Outreach on the Global Stage,” organized by the Gerakan Milenial Pecinta Tanah Air (GEMPITA) at Retro Café in Jakarta, shed light on Indonesia’s entry into BRICS as a market expansion strategy amidst global uncertainty. Philips clarified that Indonesia’s involvement in BRICS does not indicate an anti-Western or anti-American stance, but rather a diplomatic move to enhance relations with major global powers. The event also highlighted a substantial reduction in U.S. import tariffs on Indonesian goods and ongoing discussions for further reductions. Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno emphasized that trade diplomacy decisions are based on national interests, not emotions, and urged the public to rely on data rather than assumptions.
