Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on April 16, 2025, in a meeting aimed at deepening defense and security cooperation between the two nations.
The Secretary and Foreign Minister recognized the importance of their countries' U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and shared interest in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. They discussed ways to enhance cooperation, including efforts to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. Rubio emphasized the significance of the maximum pressure campaign on the Iranian regime to curtail its financing of terrorism, ballistic missile production, and other destabilizing activities.
The two officials also touched upon U.S. reciprocal tariffs on Indonesia, which Secretary Rubio welcomed as a step toward introducing economic reforms that would foster a fair and balanced trade relationship between their countries. Foreign Minister Sugiono's efforts to facilitate the return of Indonesian deportees from the United States were also acknowledged by Rubio.
In addition, Rubio and Sugiono underscored the importance of continuing to advance their partnership, which has become increasingly crucial in addressing regional security challenges. The meeting marked a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, with both sides committed to further cooperation on defense, security, and economic issues.