Jakarta, July 2 -- Trade Minister Budi Santoso said Indonesia's foreign trade balance remained resilient during the first five months of 2026 despite recording a trade deficit in May.

"Although Indonesia recorded a trade deficit in May 2026, the cumulative trade balance for the January-May period remained in surplus. This proves that Indonesia's non-oil and gas trade performance remains solid amid global challenges," Santoso said in a statement here on Thursday.

He said non-oil and gas trade continued to serve as the main pillar of Indonesia's external trade, although the country posted a trade deficit of US$1.61 billion in May due to a widening deficit in the oil and gas sector.

Cumulatively, Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of US$4...