Jakarta, Sept. 25 -- Trade Minister Budi Santoso emphasized the strategic importance of establishing a trade agreement with the United States (US), citing the country's vast market potential and its position as Indonesia's largest source of trade surplus.

"Why are we pursuing a trade agreement with America? Because the US accounts for our largest trade surplus," Budi said during a press briefing in Tangerang City, Banten, on Friday.

Official data shows that Indonesian exports to the US reached US$30.96 billion in 2025, generating a trade surplus of US$18.11 billion. The US market currently accounts for approximately 11 percent of Indonesia's total exports.

The US ranked first among Indonesia's top five trade surplus partners in 2025, f...