Cirebon Apindo Raises Concerns Over Trump’s Tariff Policies and Public Holidays Impacting Productivity
Monday, 19 May 2025
CIREBON – Import tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump continue to draw serious attention from Indonesian business leaders, who are assessing potential impacts on trade and production. They remain cautious, seeking to avoid being caught in a broader trade war.
Agus Subiyakto, Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Cirebon Chapter, acknowledged that the so-called “Trump Effect” has created ripples in the global business landscape.
“There’s definitely an impact. But in Cirebon, our export-import activities mainly involve rattan,” Agus told Rakyat Cirebon.
He noted that Apindo members across Indonesia are closely monitoring the situation while waiting for the central government’s policy direction. Ongoing government-to-government (G-to-G) negotiations are viewed as critical in ensuring that U.S. tariffs do not overly burden Indonesian exporters.
“The government is not standing idle. Negotiations are ongoing. We’ll see how it plays out and respond accordingly,” Agus explained.
According to him, Cirebon’s export economy primarily revolves around rattan and other furniture-related goods, and only a small portion of these are shipped to the U.S.
“There are some local businesses engaged in export-import, but few are significantly tied to the U.S. market,” he added.
Despite the limited direct exposure, Agus said local business owners are actively studying Trump-era trade policies and analyzing their broader implications. These efforts also include evaluating Indonesian domestic policies and finding solutions to internal operational challenges.
“We regularly meet with fellow entrepreneurs to discuss government policies and internal company matters in search of viable solutions,” he said.
On the domestic front, one growing concern among business owners is the high number of public holidays slated for 2025. Companies with large workforces are worried about reduced production days leading to financial losses.
“For companies with thousands of workers, even a single day off can result in significant losses. That’s why we believe proposals to review the number of holidays make sense,” Agus said.
He added that business leaders have begun holding dialogues with government representatives to voice their concerns over the number of public holidays in the calendar year.
“Joint leave days may be welcomed by employees, but for employers managing large teams, they can be detrimental,” he stressed.
Agus emphasized the need for a balanced approach that supports both employee welfare and business productivity. One key recommendation: avoid excessive reductions in workdays.
“Our hope is to maintain company productivity and avoid losses. That means limiting the number of red dates (public holidays) so production can continue smoothly,” he concluded.
Source: rakyatcirebon.disway.id
