Norway has called on Indonesia to take a firm stand in support of the global rules-based trade system, as concerns grow over rising protectionism sparked by the United States’ renewed tariff threats.
Speaking to the Jakarta Globe, Norway’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Rut Krüger Giverin, said it was important for countries like Indonesia to “stand up for multilateralism” in a time when major economies are increasingly turning inward.
“We are concerned about the current signals coming from the U.S., and that these policies might affect the global economy,” says Ambassador Giverin. “Indonesia has a key role as a member of the G20 and a leading economy in the region to maintain the global trading system.”
The remarks came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump floated the idea of imposing tariffs of up to 60 percent on Chinese goods if re-elected in 2024, raising fears of a new wave of trade conflicts. Although not yet policy, the statements have added to global market unease.
Norway, a strong advocate of the World Trade Organization (WTO), emphasized that fair and open trade benefits all nations, particularly small and mid-sized economies that rely on predictable international rules. Ambassador Giverin pointed to Norway’s own experience as a small, export-driven economy that thrives on open access to global markets.
Indonesia and Norway already cooperate on various trade and environmental initiatives, including the Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and several green economy efforts. The ambassador’s remarks suggest Oslo hopes Jakarta will continue to be an ally in defending international trade frameworks.
Source: JakartaGlobe
