Jakarta, Feb. 20 -- Trade Minister Budi Santoso has defended the government's decision to implement zero-tariff imports on U.S. agricultural products, asserting that the move will not jeopardize domestic industries.

He emphasized that essential commodities, including soybeans, wheat, and cotton, are critical raw materials that are not produced locally in sufficient quantities.

"These commodities are primarily utilized as industrial raw materials," Santoso said here Friday, adding that with the U.S. being Indonesia's largest source of soybeans and a major supplier of wheat, imposing trade barriers would only penalize domestic industries.

The Minister explained that eliminating tariffs is a strategic move to suppress import costs and pro...