Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has vowed to ensure that the recently brokered trade agreement between President Prabowo Subianto and U.S. President Donald Trump would bring tangible benefits to Indonesia’s energy sector, particularly in securing strategic imports while exploring new export opportunities.

Bahlil confirmed that the U.S. government has accepted Indonesia’s US$10–15 billion proposal to purchase U.S. liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refined fuels, and crude oil, a key component of the bilateral negotiations that resulted in reduced import tariffs on Indonesian goods.

“One of the main points of discussion was Indonesia’s offer to buy energy products from the U.S. worth $10 to $15 billion. That helped bring down the proposed tariff from 32 percent to 19 percent,” Bahlil told repoters at ESDM Office, on Friday, July 18, 2025.

The outcome followed a direct negotiation between Presidents Prabowo and Trump on July 15, 2025, whenboth sides agreed to a more favorable 19 percent import tariff for Indonesian products a significant concession compared to the previously threatened 32 percent rate.

Bahlil emphasized that further technical discussions with state owned energy company PT Pertamina and other energy stakeholders will soon take place to ensure that the energy trade commitments remain economically feasible and aligned with national regulations.

“I haven’t yet held a technical meeting with Pertamina, but after that, we will release more detailed plans. We’ll calculate everything based on economic pricing and national interests,” Bahlil noted.

“Even if certain products must be exported, they must comply with our domestic regulations, and I will seek direction from President Prabowo and coordinating ministers on those items,” he added.

The minister also stressed the importance of mutual benefit in the trade arrangement and said his ministry would analyze the potential for Indonesian natural resource exports to the U.S., including copper, which had been mentioned by President Trump as part of Washington’s trade interests.

Confirmed U.S. engagement

Separately, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Vice President forCorporate Communication at Pertamina, confirmed that the state-owned energy company recently met with U.S. corporate partners to advance cooperation in downstream energy operations.

“We’ve signed several MoUs with American partners focusing on feedstock supply and refining collaboration,” Fadjar said as quoted on Thursday, July 17, 2025, while noting that the company would align closely with the energy ministry on any follow-up decisions.

While details of the agreements remain confidential, Pertamina said it regularly coordinates with the government, particularly in reviewing technical implementation of bilateral energy projects.

Currently, 57 percent of Indonesia’s domestic LPG supply is imported from the United States. Under the new trade arrangement, that figure could rise to 60 percent, a move that officials say would help optimize supply chain efficiency and reduce vulnerability to price volatility.