Indonesian leader Joko Widodo’s US visit falls short – could China stand to benefit?
- A US-Indonesia partnership signed during Widodo’s visit shows the lack of potential for bilateral economic ties to improve
- China’s strong trade links with Indonesia could deepen and leave little room for US businesses to make headway, analysts say
But a closer examination of the “comprehensive strategic partnership” signed in the White House revealed a lack of details and certainty to many of the programmes outlined, said observers.
Even though Biden had said the meeting with Widodo marked a “new era” for the two countries, analysts were sceptical that US-Indonesia relations had been fundamentally improved.
“Indonesia appeals to the US to do more to stop the atrocities in Gaza. A ceasefire is a must for the sake of humanity,” he was quoted as saying at the Oval Office, for which he earned plaudits back home.
While the two leaders exhibited a camaraderie rarely seen between Indonesian and American politicians, experts say there is still a long way to go before the two countries can realise closer economic ties.