KOMPUTER JADUL-, US President Donald Trump's subordinates have apparently questioned Indonesia's move to ban Apple from selling the iPhone 16.
This came from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on February 13, 2025. He even shook his head at Indonesia's very bold stance in banning the sale of the iPhone 16 series under the pretext of domestic component level (TKDN) regulations.
"That (Indonesia's move to ban the iPhone 16) is called non-tariff barriers. I said that it is just as dangerous (as high tariff regulations)," Bessent said in an interview with Fox News, quoted Friday (28/2).
"An example (of non-tariff barriers) in Indonesia, Apple cannot sell the iPhone 16 because it does not meet the requirements and local content (TKDN) regulations. Why is that allowed? (In fact) they expect full access to our market," he said.
Bessent emphasized that President Trump is indeed very wary of non-tariff barriers imposed on the US. The case of Apple having difficulty marketing its new products in Indonesia is one of the main highlights.
At that time, he even said that the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Trade had prepared 'weapons' against Indonesia. Bessent guaranteed that the ammunition could be used by Donald Trump to create fair competition.
"The study conducted by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Finance (on tariff and non-tariff barriers) provides President Trump with all the ammunition needed to provide fair and balanced resistance to our partner and competitor countries," Bessent threatened.
Finance Minister Scott Bessent emphasized that President Donald Trump had been firm since his first term in 2017-2021. The number one person in the US did not discriminate, even when facing countries that were claimed to be friends.
He then made an analogy about friendship. Bessent questioned which friend was actually taking advantage and only exploiting.
"We have a large trade deficit with Europe (the European Union) and President Trump is talking about reciprocal tariffs," said Bessent.
"What's wrong with reciprocal tariffs? If you (a country) set tariffs (at a certain level), we will set the same tariff level. However, if you free tariffs, we will also free them," the minister threatened.
Apple and the Indonesian government went through a long discussion process to market the iPhone 16. Finally, the two parties found common ground, a few days after Trump's men threatened.
The government through the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) and Apple signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday (25/2) which became the green light for the entry of the iPhone 16 into the country. However, there is no definite date yet for when the smartphone can be officially sold.
Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang only said that the negotiations were tough. This is because the Indonesian government and Apple are both trying to protect their interests.
Agus said that Apple remains firm on the third scheme option in order to obtain a TKDN certificate. This means that the US manufacturer will run an innovation scheme, namely building a training and development center in Indonesia.
In other words, Apple is still the only brand that is allowed to sell imported phones without having to build a factory in Indonesia.
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