Indonesia remains cautiously determined to join BRICS despite a threat from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to double tariffs on members of the Russia- and China-led bloc if it pursues its stated goal of establishing an alternative to the U.S. dollar in international trade.
At a parliament meeting this month with the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, legislators expressed their concern about Trump’s threats.
“Although we are confident in expanding our diplomatic relations, Indonesia’s presence in BRICS may be considered as a departure from traditional trade relations with U.S. and the European Union,” said Sumail Abdullah, a ruling party legislator with a role in foreign affairs. “Don’t let this become a reality, because countries like Russia and China will certainly dominate BRICS.”
Foreign Minister Sugiono defended his decision to join BRICS, arguing that there are many benefits to being a member.
“Essentially, BRICS is a good platform that we can utilize as our vessel to discuss and bring forward the interests of developing countries. It is also an implementation of our independent and active foreign policy,” he told legislators at the December 2 session.
Sugiono stressed the importance of strengthening Indonesia’s economy by building food and energy security and developing downstream industries. Indonesia, he added, should be less reliant economically on other countries so it can better decide its own foreign policy.
Although the BRICS countries have made it a goal to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar as an exchange currency, Sugiono said the issue was not brought up during the October 2024 BRICS Summit in Russia.
However, the minister left the door open to reconsidering the decision in light of Trump’s threat.
“If we think there are things that could harm our national interests, then we can review our membership in BRICS. What is important is that our attempt to join any multilateral group is focused on maintaining our national interests,” he told the legislators.
