Indonesia - United States Trade 2025 Q1: Strong Growth & Surplus

Key Market Takeaways: Indonesia - United States Trade

The bilateral trade relationship between Indonesia and United States solidifies Indonesia's net exporter role with strong growth in Q1 2025.

• $10.4B Total Trade | $4.17B Surplus: Indonesia's exports ($7.30B) nearly double imports ($3.13B), with YoY growth across all months (up to +19.67% for exports).
• Resource-for-Tech Exchange: Indonesia - United States trade statistics show electrical machinery (16.67% of exports) and consumer goods flow west, while mineral fuels (30.98% of imports) and high-tech equipment move east.
• Complementary, Not Dependent: Indonesia supplies labor-intensive and commodity-driven goods, while the U.S. retains higher value-add in advanced exports.

This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia-United States Trade Trend in Q1 2025

Indonesia Export Performance: Shipments to United States

• Total Volume: $7.30B in Q1 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • Strong YoY growth across all months (Jan: +16.84%, Feb: +11.46%, Mar: +19.67%), reflecting sustained demand.
• Key Volatility: March saw a sharp MoM surge (+11.96%), the highest in the quarter.

Indonesia Import Performance: Sourcing from United States

• Total Volume: $3.13B in Q1 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • Positive YoY growth (Jan: +9.83%, Feb: +22.45%, Mar: +18.72%) despite MoM declines in February (-7.57%) and March (-10.84%).
• Key Volatility: March recorded the lowest monthly value ($937.57M) and steepest MoM drop (-10.84%).

Indonesia - United States Trade Balance & Market Dynamics

• Net Position: Trade surplus of $4.17B (Exports $7.30B vs. Imports $3.13B).
• Relationship Status: Indonesia solidifies its net exporter role, with exports nearly doubling imports. No signs of dependency on U.S. goods.

Indonesia Import Trend from United States 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Indonesia Export Trend to United States 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Get Historical Indonesia United States Trade Records

Indonesia-United States Top Trading Products in Q1 2025

Indonesia Export Profile: What Does Indonesia Sell to United States

• Top Commodity: Electrical machinery (HS 85) dominates exports, accounting for 16.67% of total value.
• Demand Driver: Consumer goods like footwear (HS 64) and apparel (HS 61/62) indicate Indonesia serves the U.S. retail market. Industrial inputs like palm oil (HS 15) suggest downstream processing in the U.S.
• Concentration: No single category exceeds 50%, but the top 4 HS codes (85, 64, 61, 62) collectively represent 42.08% of exports.

Indonesia Import Profile: What Does Indonesia Buy from United States

• Top Commodity: Mineral fuels (HS 27) lead imports at 30.98%, reflecting energy procurement needs.
• Dependency Nature: High-tech imports (HS 84/85) signal critical machinery reliance. Agricultural products (HS 12/23) point to food supply gaps.

Indonesia - United States Trade Relationship Dynamics

• The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity—Indonesia supplies consumer goods and raw materials (palm oil, apparel) in return for U.S. energy and machinery.
• Value Chain Position: The U.S. holds higher value-add with advanced exports (machinery, instruments), while Indonesia’s exports skew toward labor-intensive or commodity-driven sectors.

Import Analysis by Product: United States to Indonesia (Source: yTrade)

Export Analysis by Product: Indonesia to United States (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed Indonesia-United States Trade HS Code Breakdown

Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations

Forecast

Indonesia’s trade surplus with the United States is expected to widen further in Q2 2025, driven by sustained demand for electrical machinery (HS 85) and consumer goods like apparel and footwear. The U.S. market’s reliance on Indonesian raw materials, particularly palm oil (HS 15), will likely keep exports robust, while imports of U.S. energy (HS 27) and high-tech machinery (HS 84/85) may stabilize after Q1’s volatility. However, exporters should monitor potential U.S. policy shifts on trade tariffs, especially for key commodities.

Strategic Moves

• Lock in Long-Term Contracts: Indonesian palm oil and apparel exporters should secure fixed-price agreements with U.S. buyers to hedge against potential price fluctuations and ensure steady revenue streams.
• Diversify Energy Imports: While mineral fuels (HS 27) dominate imports, Indonesian manufacturers should explore alternative energy suppliers to reduce dependency on U.S. shipments and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Invest in Tech Upgrades: To counterbalance the U.S.’s high-value machinery exports, Indonesian firms should prioritize upgrading production capabilities, particularly in electronics (HS 85), to capture more value in the supply chain.

Traders must act decisively to capitalize on Indonesia’s export strengths while mitigating risks in critical import sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Indonesia - United States trade perform in 2025 Q1?

Indonesia recorded strong YoY growth in exports (+16.84% in Jan) and imports (+9.83% in Jan), with total trade volumes of $7.30B (exports) and $3.13B (imports).

What are the top exports from Indonesia to United States?

Electrical machinery (HS 85), footwear (HS 64), apparel (HS 61/62), and palm oil (HS 15) dominate Indonesia’s exports to the U.S., collectively representing 42.08% of total export value.

What does Indonesia import from United States?

Mineral fuels (HS 27) lead imports (30.98%), followed by high-tech machinery (HS 84/85) and agricultural products (HS 12/23), reflecting energy and industrial needs.

What is the trade balance between Indonesia and United States?

Indonesia maintained a trade surplus of $4.17B in Q1 2025, with exports nearly doubling imports, solidifying its net exporter role.