MOSCOW, August 7 — Indonesia hopes that it will be able to finalise a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) by September, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti, quoting a Politico report on Thursday, citing Indonesia's representative to the EU.
In mid-July, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU and Indonesia reached a political agreement on a free trade deal, which was particularly important for the EU amid disagreements with the United States (US).
A spokesperson for the Mission of Indonesia to the EU said that they were "optimistic" about getting a deal done by September, Politico reported.
However, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told the newspaper that the EU needs to clarify details regarding market access for remaining key products.
Meanwhile, former European Parliament member Cecilia Malmström expressed doubt about the possibility of concluding a deal before September. Citing her sources close to the negotiations, she added that finalising the agreement was possible by the end of this year, Politico reported.
On July 27, von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump reached a trade deal that will subject most EU exports to the US to a 15 per cent tariff.
The New York Times, citing a senior US official, reported that the deal does not include the abolition of US tariffs of 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, but they could be reduced as a result of further negotiations.
The EU also pledged to buy US$750 billion (RM3.17 trillion) worth of US energy products.
