US-Indonesia relations turn a new page

SGGP November 15, 2023 14:22

On November 14, Nikkei Asia reported that the US and Indonesia have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a historic new phase in the bilateral cooperation. The decision was made during talks between US President Joe Biden and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo at the White House.

US President Joe Biden (right) and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the meeting

Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the United States and Indonesia will strengthen economic cooperation for shared prosperity through investment in critical and emerging technologies; sustainable micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Specifically, the two sides will cooperate to diversify the global semiconductor ecosystem; enhance digital connectivity in rural Indonesia; invest in emerging Indonesian businesses; implement tourism partnerships; and promote private investment from the United States.

In the climate field, the US and Indonesia announced many new programs, including cooperation on sustainable energy and minerals; support for small-scale renewable energy grids; promote clean energy transition plans; implement carbon capture and storage projects; enhance power connectivity and improve air quality in Southeast Asia; explore clean energy alternatives for industrial growth; expand cooperation on waste management. The two countries agreed to expand cooperation on cybersecurity; strengthen maritime security; promote defense cooperation with the signing of a new defense cooperation agreement and promote cooperation on counterterrorism. In addition, there are new programs to promote people-to-people exchanges, exchanges of experts in education , culture, health, etc.

After the talks, a joint statement said the two sides agreed to “develop a critical minerals action plan,” another effort by the Biden administration to expand mineral trade with Southeast Asian nations to reduce dependence on China.

In recent years, the cooperation between the US and Indonesia has developed a lot. Previously, US President Joe Biden attended the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Bali last year and US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta this past September. Indonesia has the capacity to store 8 gigatons of carbon (1 gigaton = 1 billion tons) in reservoirs, and can increase that by 400 gigatons if it takes advantage of its saline aquifers.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/quan-he-my-indonesia-sang-trang-moi-post714150.html