Biden courts a final Indo-Pacific ally ahead of meeting with China’s Xi
President Biden Hosts Indonesian President for Bilateral Discussions
President Joe Biden welcomed Indonesian President Joko Widodo to the White House on Monday for a series of important bilateral discussions. This meeting comes just two days before President Biden’s highly anticipated summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco.
Over the past year, President Biden has made it a priority to engage with leaders from the Indo-Pacific region, with the underlying goal of countering China’s growing military and economic influence. In fact, in 2023 alone, President Biden has hosted leaders from Australia, India, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea at the White House, and he himself traveled to Japan for the G7 summit earlier this year.
President Biden’s commitment to strengthening ties with Indonesia is evident, as he also attended the G20 summit in the country in 2022, and Vice President Kamala Harris recently participated in a summit there in September.
“Taking Our Relationship to the Highest Possible Level”
“Today we’re talking about taking our relationship to launching the highest possible level of cooperation. A comprehensive strategic partnership. This will mark a new era of relations between the United States and Indonesia across the board, affecting everything,” President Biden stated during his Oval Office sit-down with President Widodo. “As we mark nearly 75 years of cooperation between our nations, I believe our partnership is stronger than it’s ever been. I’m looking forward to our conversation today and our cooperation with APEC summit in San Francisco later this week.”
However, the ongoing conflict in Israel and Indonesia’s economic ties with China add complexity to President Biden’s meetings on Monday.
Indonesia, being the world’s most populous Muslim country, has publicly called for a ceasefire in Israel. President Widodo condemned the Israel Defense Forces for an attack on a hospital in Gaza during his visit to Saudi Arabia. American defense and intelligence agencies believe that the attack was caused by a misfiring rocket launched by a terrorist organization in Gaza.
Appealing for Ceasefire and Regional Peace
President Widodo specifically called on President Biden to “do more” to end the fighting in Gaza during their bilateral meeting in the Oval Office. “Indonesia also wishes our partnership contributes to regional and global peace and prosperity,” he told President Biden and gathered reporters. “So Indonesia appeals to the U.S. to do more to stop the atrocities in Gaza. Ceasefire is a must for the sake of humanity.”
On the economic front, Indonesia has had a comprehensive relationship with China since 2013. To counter this, the Biden administration announced a new “strategic partnership” between Indonesia and the United States. This partnership will focus on critical minerals, semiconductors, climate, and clean energy, with Indonesia being the world’s largest producer of nickel, a crucial component for President Biden’s domestic electric vehicle and clean energy initiatives.
The discussions between President Biden and President Widodo also emphasized the importance of security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Looking ahead, President Biden is scheduled to meet with President Xi during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. This meeting comes as tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated, starting with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022. The U.S.-China relationship further deteriorated due to the spy balloon scandal and China’s aggressive military actions in the South China Sea.
Despite the current tensions, Biden administration officials have emphasized that China is seen as a competitor rather than an outright enemy. Both countries have a significant trading relationship, and there are efforts to improve U.S.-China relations.
Working Towards Better U.S.-China Relations
“We have a $700 billion trading relationship with China. The vast majority — 99 percent of that — has nothing to do with export controls,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said. President Xi himself expressed to U.S. lawmakers visiting Beijing in October that there are “a thousand reasons to make U.S.-China relations better, and no reason to make them worse.”
How do both President Biden and President Widodo express their commitment to deepening the bilateral relationship between the United States and Indonesia, and what key areas of cooperation do they discuss
Dent Biden. “We must work together to promote dialogue and find a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East.”
In addition to the Israel conflict, Indonesia’s economic ties with China also present a challenge for President Biden. China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, and the two countries have deep economic cooperation in various sectors. President Biden’s anti-China stance and efforts to counter their influence in the Indo-Pacific region may complicate discussions with President Widodo regarding economic cooperation.
Navigating Economic Ties with China
While economic ties between Indonesia and China are strong, President Biden emphasized the importance of ensuring a level playing field and fair trade practices. “We will continue to work together to address any concerns and create a more balanced and equitable economic relationship,” President Biden stated. He also expressed his commitment to assisting Indonesia in diversifying its economy and reducing its dependency on any single trading partner.
Despite the complexities, both leaders expressed their commitment to deepening the bilateral relationship between the United States and Indonesia. President Widodo praised the United States as a “vital partner” and expressed his gratitude for the strong support provided by the US in areas such as education, infrastructure, and climate change mitigation. He also highlighted Indonesia’s progress in democracy, human rights, and economic development.
President Biden echoed these sentiments and assured President Widodo that the United States remains committed to strengthening cooperation in key areas such as security, trade, and climate change. They discussed opportunities for increasing investments, expanding trade relations, and collaborating on renewable energy projects.
Overall, the bilateral discussions between President Biden and President Widodo underscore the commitment of both nations to deepen their relationship and find common ground on important issues. As the United States aims to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region, engaging with key allies like Indonesia becomes crucial. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Israel and Indonesia’s economic ties with China, both leaders expressed optimism and a determination to work together towards a more prosperous and peaceful future.
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