Jakarta, July 16 -- Deputy Minister for Investment and Downstream Todotua Pasaribu stated that the Republic of Indonesia holds a strategic position, as reflected by a significant reduction in reciprocal U.S. tariffs on Indonesian products.

"In my view, strategically, among Southeast Asian countries, our tariff rates experienced one of the largest reductions. This indicates that the United States highly values Indonesia's presence," Pasaribu told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

His remarks followed the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that a 19 percent import tariff would be applied to Indonesian goods entering the U.S. following direct negotiations with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto-a sharp drop from the previous 3...