16 April 2025 – The Indonesian government says it will propose importing US energy products in the tariff conflict with the United States. China’s economy has started the new year with strong momentum: The world’s second-largest economy grew significantly in the first quarter despite challenges.
Indonesia approaches Donald Trump with possible tariff deal
The Indonesian government says it will propose buying US energy products, such as crude oil and liquefied natural gas, worth at least 10 billion US dollars a year in the tariff conflict with the United States.
In total, Indonesia plans to purchase US goods worth 18 to 19 billion dollars to reduce its trade surplus with the US and avoid the impending 32% tariffs on its exports.
Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said the Energy Ministry had recommended increasing the LPG import quota for the US and importing more American crude oil to meet the target.
US government’s wish: Europe should also import more American energy products
Increasing energy imports from the United States is also an option that has been discussed in the European Union for some time. And a wish of US President Donald Trump to significantly reduce the trade deficit with Europe. The European Union’s zero-for-zero tariff offer was recently rejected by the US side as insufficient.
Even though the US President had held out his hand to the Europeans and left the door wide open in the tariff dispute, the EU is still finding it difficult to approach the Americans with its bureaucratic and inflexible way of thinking and acting. Energy imports from the United States would actually be a win-win situation for both sides of the Atlantic.
Strong start to the year: China’s economy grows by 5.4 per cent
China’s economy has started the new year with strong momentum: In the first quarter, the world’s second-largest economy grew by an impressive 5.4 per cent – significantly exceeding analysts’ expectations. These had previously assumed growth of around 5.2 per cent.
A good start with a noticeable increase in demand
“The economy got off to a good start in the first quarter of this year, and high-quality development has moved in a new direction, demonstrating the strong resilience and potential of the Chinese economy,” commented Sheng Laiyun, Vice Commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics, on the encouraging figures. The robust growth underlines China’s economic resilience and the positive development of important sectors at the beginning of the year.
Despite global uncertainties – for example in trade relations with the USA – the Middle Kingdom is sending an important signal to investors and markets: the Chinese economy remains a key growth driver in the world.
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