News Source: Lokusnews.id, Samarinda- The Association of Indonesian Export Companies (GPEI) of East Kalimantan assessed that the economic policies taken by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, could have a big impact on the investment and export climate of Indonesia, including in East Kalimantan.

The policy, according to the East Kalimantan GPEI, has the potential to trigger caution from investors in investing in Indonesia. In fact, it is possible that a number of investors will withdraw their investment. If this condition continues, the weakening of the Composite Stock Price Index (CSPI) can occur significantly, which then has an impact on the decline in the value of national exports.

"Although America is not the main market of East Kalimantan commodity, Trump's high tariff policy continues to put a large pressure on the rupiah. As a result, the selling value of our export goods has plummeted. What is the impact? The investment climate to Indonesia is getting heavier,"Said Hasrun Jaya, Secretary of the East Kalimantan GPEI, when met on Wednesday (09/04/2025).

He explained, the manufacturing sector became one of the most vulnerable industries to exchange rate turmoil. High dependence on imports of raw materials makes production costs soaring. On the other hand, the weak rupiah makes Indonesian products unable to compete in terms of prices in the global market.

"If you continue like this, we can lose most of the export markets. Other countries that can offer cheaper prices, like Malaysia, will easily take over,"Hasrun continued.

Not only that, Hasrun also reminded that similar protectionist policies could have emerged from other countries. If not anticipated early on, the impact can extend throughout Indonesia, including East Kalimantan.

Therefore, the East Kalimantan GPEI encouraged local governments to start transforming economic. He stressed the importance of developing potential sectors such as agriculture, forestry and marine, which had not yet been utilized to the maximum.

"It is time for us to be serious about working on sectors outside of oil and gas and coal. Both of these resources will not last forever. We have extensive agricultural and plantation land, as well as promising marine potential - not to be damaged. If this is empowered, the East Kalimantan economy will be much more resilient to face global turmoil,"he concluded.