This coming Saturday, Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, Europe & the Middle East will be meeting with his Indonesian counterpart. Their debates are set to begin on December 11, 2023. This welcome expected dialogue comes as tensions are flaring over the trade agreement between the two nations. Each country benefits from the other, and both nations have an interest in addressing FTZ concerns and work toward a resolution that fulfills U.S. trade objectives.
These conversations are more important than ever for the United States. It seeks to negotiate deals with Indonesia that would echo the favorable trade deals recently finalized with Malaysia and Cambodia. Greer’s proactive approach is a sign that he wants to establish stronger economic ties and improve trade cooperation across the highly connected region.
Greer has been a hands-on leader in trade negotiations, and for years he has developed a reputation for diving deep into the weeds of saltier international commerce. His likeness graced the homepage of the Financial Times on 10 December 2025. That doesn’t diminish his prominence in the overlapping, related debates of the changing dynamics of global trade.
This year’s convening occurs against an intense backdrop. Both countries have experienced a lot of tension in just about every area of their bilateral trade relationship. While the U.S. has long raised concerns about Indonesia’s trade imbalances and lack of market access, Indonesia is looking to shield its domestic industries. Greer’s forthcoming discussion will focus on connecting these dots and building a more collaborative, win-win trading atmosphere.
From the perspective of the U.S. administration, a strong agreement with Indonesia is critical. This recent action is part of a larger effort to strengthen economic relationships across the entire region. By aligning trade policies with those of Malaysia and Cambodia, the U.S. hopes to create a more cohesive regional trade framework that benefits all parties involved.