The Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) has formally submitted Letter No. 039/CELIOS/II/2026 to the President of the Republic of Indonesia expressing its objection to the Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia on Reciprocal Trade (ART).
CELIOS considers the agreement far more than a standard trade deal. Its provisions affect trade, energy imports, mineral governance, digital regulation, data protection, taxation, industrial policy, and Indonesia’s foreign policy posture. Several clauses risk expanding the oil and gas trade deficit, weakening domestic industry and TKDN policy, undermining mineral downstreaming and divestment rules, limiting digital taxation authority, enabling cross-border data transfers without adequate safeguards, and constraining Indonesia’s strategic autonomy in international cooperation.
From a legal perspective, the agreement touches upon sovereignty, environmental governance, the creation of new legal norms, and political-security matters—areas that, under Indonesian law, require parliamentary approval through legislation.
In light of these concerns, CELIOS urges the government not to ratify the agreement in any form before conducting a transparent, accountable review with full parliamentary involvement and meaningful public participation.
This objection reflects our commitment to safeguarding constitutional principles, regulatory sovereignty, and the national interest.
