Jokowi Is Not Afraid to Fight WTO Lawsuit

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)
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The nickel ore export ban by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made the World Trade Organization (WTO) sue Indonesia. However, Jokowi ensured that Indonesia is not afraid to appeal.

According to him, whether to export or not an item is Indonesia’s right as the owner of natural resources. Jokowi said that Indonesia does not want to be forced to export raw resources that can be processed domestically.

Furthermore, to fight the defeat of the European Union’s lawsuit at the WTO over the nickel ore export ban, President Jokowi appointed a woman, namely the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi not to be afraid to appeal.

“I told the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Retno Marsudi) not to back down,” said President Jokowi at the 50th Anniversary of the PDIP, Tuesday (10/1/2023).

He explained that the demands from the WTO were a scheme for Indonesia to follow the rules of the game made by big countries. He ensured that Indonesia would not be able to become a developed country if it continued to export raw materials.

“Until the end of the world, we will only be a developing country,” he said.

As is well known, President Jokowi banned the export of nickel ore abroad three years ago. The export ban activity was accompanied by the development of domestic downstream.

With the export ban, President Jokowi said that Indonesia had gained a significant jump in added value. From previously only around IDR 17 trillion to IDR 360 trillion in 2021.

“This is just nickel, yesterday we announced that bauxite will stop in December as well starting in June 2023 and we will industrialize it domestically. I don’t know the jump, but it’s around Rp. 20 to Rp. 60 – Rp. 70 trillion,” said Jokowi.

President Jokowi said that on his occasion at the ASEAN Summit, he had said that trade partnerships should have equal values and there should be no coercion by any country.

He emphatically stated that no other country was allowed to dictate to Indonesia. Indonesia’s standard does not mean losing to big countries.

Finally, he hopes that the new president in 2024 will continue to fight for this.

“I want the future president to also have the courage to continue it, not to be discouraged easily, not to be afraid for the sake of the nation’s interests,” said President Jokowi.