The Boeing aircraft purchase deal was one of the outcomes of negotiations between President Prabowo and U.S. President Donald Trump regarding import tariffs.
“We do need Boeing aircraft to expand Garuda. Garuda is our pride,” said Prabowo during a press briefing at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
President Prabowo emphasized Garuda Indonesia’s symbolic role as a bearer of national identity since the country’s independence era. He underlined the importance of enhancing Garuda’s fleet with new aircraft.
“Garuda must become the symbol of Indonesia. I am committed to expanding Garuda, and to do that, we need new aircraft,” said the President.
According to him, Indonesia’s need for new aircraft aligns with Boeing’s interest in selling.
“I think there’s no issue. We need them, and they want to sell. Boeing planes are also quite good. We’re still getting aircraft from Airbus as well,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo further stated that Indonesia still relies on imports from the United States for various products, including fuel, gas, wheat, and soybeans.
“In the end, it’s a convergence of interests. For instance, we still import fuel, gas, wheat, and soybeans. Eventually, we reached a common ground,” he explained.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 19% import tariff on Indonesian products entering the U.S., following direct negotiations with President Prabowo.
This new tariff represents a reduction from the initial 32% rate announced by Trump in April, indicating that a trade agreement had been reached.
Trump added that Indonesia had agreed to remove all tariff and non-tariff barriers for American products entering the country.
He also noted that if a third-country product with a higher tariff rate is rerouted through Indonesia to the U.S., a 19% tariff would still apply to that product.
In addition to tariff adjustments, the agreement signed between Trump and Prabowo includes Indonesia’s commitment to purchase $15 billion worth of U.S. energy products and $4.5 billion worth of agricultural goods.
Trump also mentioned Indonesia’s pledge to buy 50 new Boeing aircraft — most of which are Boeing 777s –though he did not specify which airline or entity would be making the purchase.
“This landmark agreement opens the entire Indonesian market to the United States for the first time in history,” said Trump.
Related news: Prabowo arrives in Jakarta after 5-country diplomatic tour
Related news: Prabowo to represent Indonesia at September UNGA: PCO
Translator: Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
