Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday, marking a pivotal moment in U.S.-Indonesia relations amid shifting dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region. This official visit underscores the strategic importance of Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, as a key ally in a region where Washington and Beijing vie for influence.
Prabowo’s trip included a notable phone call congratulating U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, during which the Indonesian leader expressed his commitment to a strong relationship with the United States. “I will work very hard to strengthen Indonesian-United States relations, and I would like to work towards this end that we have a strong cooperation,” Prabowo stated, signaling a robust vision for bilateral cooperation.
The Oval Office meeting between Prabowo and Biden followed Prabowo’s recent diplomatic visit to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping. Prabowo’s stop in Washington, just after Beijing, highlights Indonesia’s careful balancing act as it navigates complex relationships with both major powers while pursuing an independent foreign policy. During the meeting, Biden and Prabowo discussed key issues, including regional security, trade, and climate initiatives.
“Indonesia is an essential partner in Southeast Asia,” President Biden said, underlining the importance of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. “We look forward to expanding our partnership on issues that affect not just our nations but the region as a whole.”
As part of his foreign policy approach, Prabowo has emphasized a “non-aligned” stance, suggesting that Indonesia will not formally align itself with either Washington or Beijing. Nevertheless, Indonesia’s interest in strong ties with the United States is clear, particularly in areas of defense, trade, and investment.
Prabowo’s meeting with Biden comes as Indonesia seeks to expand its role on the global stage while protecting its own national interests. For Indonesia, engagement with the United States offers substantial benefits: while China is an essential economic partner, the United States remains a key source of advanced defense equipment and technology. Indonesia has purchased U.S. arms in recent years and has expressed a growing interest in acquiring more.
The conversation in Washington reportedly included the geopolitical situation in the South China Sea and broader Southeast Asian security concerns. Indonesia recently took a firm stance on the South China Sea, clarifying that it does not recognize China’s extensive maritime claims, despite a recent maritime development agreement with Beijing. The Biden administration encouraged Indonesia to ensure all maritime agreements align with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), highlighting the U.S.’s dedication to a rules-based order in the region.
Prabowo’s visit to Washington was punctuated by his congratulatory call to President-elect Donald Trump, which he shared in a video posted on social media. The call, conducted shortly after his arrival in Washington, emphasized Prabowo’s enthusiasm for fostering ties with the U.S. under the incoming Trump administration. During the conversation, Prabowo congratulated Trump on his electoral victory, and Trump reciprocated with compliments, commending Prabowo’s respect and fluency in English.
“Wherever you are, I’m willing to fly to congratulate you personally, sir,” Prabowo said, expressing a willingness to deepen the personal rapport with Trump. Trump responded affirmatively, saying, “We’ll do that, anytime you want.”
The call, although informal, is notable as it signals Prabowo’s intent to establish a positive rapport with Trump even before he formally takes office. This outreach highlights Prabowo’s strategic approach to cultivating strong relationships with U.S. leaders across the political spectrum.
Prabowo’s consecutive visits to China and the United States reflect Indonesia’s complex diplomatic position. In Beijing, Prabowo engaged with President Xi on strengthening economic cooperation, particularly in infrastructure and trade. China, already a substantial investor in Indonesia, is a critical economic partner, yet Prabowo’s subsequent visit to Washington indicates a calculated balance between the two superpowers.
During his time in Washington, Prabowo reinforced Indonesia’s stance on sovereignty in the South China Sea, affirming that Jakarta does not recognize China’s territorial claims. This statement, made shortly after a maritime cooperation agreement with Beijing, underscores Indonesia’s commitment to its territorial integrity and international law, particularly the UNCLOS framework.
The U.S. has long viewed Indonesia’s position in the South China Sea as strategically important. The Biden administration, through spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, reiterated its encouragement for Indonesia to ensure its agreements with China respect international laws.
Beyond political diplomacy, Prabowo’s agenda included a series of meetings with representatives from prominent U.S. companies, such as mining corporation Freeport McMoRan and energy giant Chevron. Indonesia has vast natural resources and aims to attract foreign investment to support its economic goals, particularly in sectors like energy, mining, and technology.
During these meetings, Prabowo emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to creating a favorable investment climate. He encouraged Chevron and Freeport McMoRan to increase their involvement in Indonesia, stressing that the archipelago nation holds significant potential for energy and mining companies.
“Indonesia has the resources and the market potential that make it a compelling destination for investment,” Prabowo stated during his discussions with business leaders. “We invite American companies to be part of Indonesia’s growth story.”
The government is particularly interested in increasing exports of critical minerals, such as nickel and copper, as global demand rises. This aligns with Prabowo’s broader economic strategy to position Indonesia as a key supplier of raw materials to high-tech industries worldwide, including electric vehicles and renewable energy.
The defense aspect of the U.S.-Indonesia relationship was a central focus of Prabowo’s talks in Washington. As Indonesia seeks to modernize its military capabilities, the country has turned to the United States as a reliable supplier of defense technology. In recent years, Indonesia has significantly increased its procurement of U.S. arms, including aircraft and other advanced military systems.
Prabowo, a former general with extensive military training in the United States, acknowledged this longstanding defense cooperation during his conversations with Biden and U.S. officials. He expressed a desire to deepen this relationship further, pointing to Indonesia’s need for advanced technology to ensure its security and maintain stability in the region.
The Biden administration has expressed support for Indonesia’s defense modernization efforts, which contribute to the broader U.S. objective of a stable and resilient Indo-Pacific region. American defense companies, encouraged by the U.S. government, are poised to play a greater role in supporting Indonesia’s military ambitions.
A critical aspect of Prabowo’s foreign policy is his commitment to a “non-aligned” stance, a principle that dates back to Indonesia’s founding years under its first president, Sukarno. The non-aligned movement, which Indonesia helped pioneer, aims to promote sovereignty and neutrality, allowing countries to steer clear of major power blocs.
As Prabowo steers Indonesia’s foreign policy, he has reiterated that Indonesia will maintain positive relations with all major powers without aligning exclusively with any. This approach seeks to leverage Indonesia’s strategic position, enabling Jakarta to secure economic, technological, and defense support from multiple countries.
Prabowo’s stance resonates with Indonesia’s domestic audience, as many Indonesians support a foreign policy that protects national interests without becoming entangled in superpower rivalries. By balancing his engagements with China and the United States, Prabowo aims to maximize Indonesia’s advantages while preserving its autonomy on the international stage.
