Indonesia’s landmark trade agreement with the United States is emerging as a new test for the country’s China-built nickel ecosystem, as policymakers attempt to diversify strategic partnerships without destabilizing the investment structure that transformed Indonesia into the world’s dominant producer.
The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), signed in Washington on February 19, 2026, by Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, contains sweeping provisions aimed at reshaping cooperation in critical minerals. While the deal could strengthen…