US 'alpha male' envoy pick: Adams vows to spread Trump's goodwill
In a video posted on Instagram last week, Adams said he was also excited to experience Malaysian culture.
'It is nothing short of a lifetime honour to take the president's goodwill and...
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Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Indonesia hails 'new era' with US after Trump trade pact
Prabowo confirmed the new tariff rate after landing back in Indonesia from Europe. – AFP photo JAKARTA (July 16): Indonesia's president on Wednesday hailed a 'new era' of trade relations with the United States, after Donald Trump said he would slash tariffs faced by Southeast Asia's biggest economy from 32 per cent to 19 per cent. The Trump administration has been under pressure to wrap up trade pacts after promising a flurry of deals, as countries sought talks with Washington to avoid the US president's threatened tariffs ahead of an August 1 deadline. 'I had a very good call with President Donald Trump. Together, we agreed and concluded to take trade relations between Indonesia and the United States into a new era of mutual benefit,' President Prabowo Subianto wrote on Instagram. Prabowo confirmed the new tariff rate after landing back in Indonesia from Europe. 'We agreed… the tariffs to be lowered from 32 (per cent) to 19 (per cent),' he told reporters, adding he could visit Washington in September or October. Prabowo, a populist former general, posted pictures of himself laughing on the phone with Trump, but did not give any specifics about their trade deal. Prabowo's presidential spokesperson confirmed the 19 per cent rate and said it was struck after direct negotiations. 'It is an extraordinary negotiation conducted directly by our president with President Donald Trump,' spokesperson Hasan Nasbi said, adding that the deal was 'progress that cannot be called small'. Trump said the rate reduction was in return for significant purchase commitments from Jakarta, including a pledge to buy 50 Boeing jets. Indonesia has committed to spending billions to increase energy, agriculture and merchandise imports from the United States. Trump and Prabowo have developed a warm relationship since the US leader first clinched the presidency in 2016. Washington invited then-defence minister Prabowo to visit in 2020, lifting a de facto visa ban, which had been in effect over alleged crimes committed during the reign of Indonesia's late dictator Suharto. 'Significant risk' After Trump announced the tariffs in April, Prabowo sent his top economic minister to Washington, and also suggested that Trump was maybe helping Jakarta by causing it to rethink its trade surplus with the world's top economy. Data from the US Trade Representative office shows Washington's goods trade deficit with Indonesia was US$17.9 billion in 2024, up 5.4 per cent from the year before. The deal struck with Indonesia would be slightly better than the 20 per cent given to Southeast Asian neighbour Vietnam. Both Indonesia and Vietnam are key markets for the shipment of Chinese goods. Trump said the deal with Indonesia would include a penalty for goods transiting Indonesia from China. But experts said the Indonesia pact appeared one-sided. 'The 19 per cent tariff on Indonesian exports to the US, while the US can enjoy 0 per cent, actually poses a significant risk to Indonesia's trade balance,' said Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, executive director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies. 'Do not be too reliant on exports to the US, because the result of the tariff negotiation is still detrimental to Indonesia's position.' – AFP donald trump indonesia Prabowo Subianto tariff us
Barnama
5 hours ago
- Barnama
Prabowo And Trump Agree On New Era Of Mutual Benefit In Bilateral Trade
Indonesia's President-Elect Prabowo Subianto speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in this June 2024 file photo. Prabowo expressed confidence that Nusantara, the new capital city in East Kalimantan, will be fully operational as Indonesia's capital within the next three years. -- Photo by REUTERS/Edgar Su By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, July 16 (Bernama) -- Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto said he had a 'very good' phone call with United States (US) President Donald Trump, during which they discussed efforts to deepen bilateral trade ties. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Prabowo said the two leaders had agreed to usher in 'a new era of mutual benefit' in economic relations between Indonesia and the US. bootstrap slideshow 'President Trump extends his warm regards to the people of Indonesia,' he added. The post was accompanied by two photos showing Prabowo in a bright room, first sitting calmly on a phone call, then laughing and leaning back in a relaxed moment. On Tuesday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he had finalised an important deal with Indonesia after speaking with Prabowo, and that the landmark agreement opens up Indonesia's entire market to the US for the first time in history. He also announced that his administration would reduce tariffs on Indonesian imports from 32 per cent to 19 per cent, while US exports to Indonesia would face no tariff or non-tariff barriers. As part of the deal, Indonesia has committed to purchasing US$15 billion worth of energy products, US$4.5 billion in agricultural goods, and 50 Boeing jets, he added. -- BERNAMA
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Chief Judge Hasnah is acting Chief Justice
KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim (pic) will assume the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Justice, including functions under the Constitution, until the post is filled. In a statement, the Office of the Chief Registrar said the decision was made under Article 131A of the Federal Constitution and the provisions of Sections 9(1)(b) and 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (Act 91). 'The Malaysian judiciary remains steadfast in its role as the guardian of justice and will continue to serve the people and the nation with unwavering dedication,' read the statement, Bernama reported. Hasnah, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 66 on May 15, has had her tenure extended by six months until Nov 14. The post of Chief Justice became vacant following the mandatory retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on Wednesday. She was the first woman to hold the nation's highest judicial office. Tengku Maimun was appointed Chief Justice on May 2, 2019, succeeding Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.
