Fajarasia.co – Transnational Institute researcher Rachmi Hertanti stated that the G20 Presidency held by Indonesia should be able to lead to discussions about the impact of the domination of the United States and China on the economies of developing countries.
“In the context of developing country interests, the G20 under the Indonesian presidency should be used to discuss the impact felt by developing countries, especially in Asia, from this US-China domination battle,” said Rachmi Hertanti in a statement in Jakarta, Sunday.
According to him, this is because developing countries are very dependent on investments from the two camps, which are needed for the national development agenda.
He gave an example, ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific agenda could actually be a catalyst for existing conflicts, where ASEAN has the opportunity to be the game-setter.
“But of course, the conditions must be compact. This is difficult, because ASEAN itself is fragmented, especially when dealing with the South China sea conflict,” said the graduate of the master’s program from UI International Trade Law.
Rachmi emphasized that developing countries in the G20 must be consistent in not taking a position or not getting caught up in partial action when pushing for their interests. For example, how can Indonesia ensure that all developing and poor countries in the world can access vaccines, including the supply of raw materials and technology to produce vaccines as a form of independent production.
Indonesia, he continued, must be able to lead the discussion on multilateral rules, particularly with regard to flexibility and special treatment that are urgently needed for developing and least developed countries.
Rachmi, who once served as Executive Director of Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ), argued that the regulation opened up space for industrialization development.
“Including, how Indonesia can lead the discussion regarding the rejection of unilateral trade actions from several developed countries which ultimately hampers access to developing countries’ markets and has an impact on various acts of discrimination,” he said.
As reported, the Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi reminded all participants in a discussion panel sponsored by Channel News Asia (CNA) from Singapore that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) could really be a real solution for the world economy hit by high inflation today.
This condition is caused in particular by the barriers to world trade caused by protectionism and trade wars, as well as the non-functioning of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as it should.
“When developed countries apply double standards, the WTO does not move,” said the Minister of Trade in a statement received by the Editors, Sunday (29/5/2022).
The Trade Minister said that the current high world commodity prices are an opportunity for farmers in large developing countries such as Indonesia, India, Brazil and China to enjoy more benefits. This is considered a new equilibrium in world food commodity trade.
“Don’t spoil it by blaming one country, such as China, for an unfavorable trade position. It’s dangerous for some developed countries to group together to justify double standards,” said Lutfi.
What is meant by double standards by the Minister of Trade is that advanced countries blame and interfere with world free trade, when they do not benefit from their trade position with a certain country, for example China.
Previously, US President Joe Biden launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) with 12 early-stage partner countries, including Indonesia. In a statement released Tuesday (24/5), the White House said the framework would deliver a stronger, fairer, more resilient economy for families, workers, and businesses in the US and the Indo-Pacific region.*****
