French President Emmanuel Macron met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday in Jakarta to reinforce trade and defense cooperation with Southeast Asia's largest economy. This visit marks the second stop in Macron's three-nation tour aimed at positioning France as a strategic balance between the US and China.
The encounter at Merdeka Palace included a formal reception with an honor guard, gun salutes, and enthusiastic young Indonesians waving French flags. Macron emphasized the strong ties between France and Indonesia across defense, security, economic, and cultural sectors, stating, "Our partnership on all the fields is already strong, but we are strengthening it," highlighting the importance of collaboration in challenging global times.
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced the intent to enhance their strategic defense partnership by signing a letter of intent concerning defense equipment cooperation. The French delegation, including Dassault Aviation's CEO Eric Trappier, is focusing on expanding arms cooperation, building on Indonesia’s recent acquisitions of Rafale jets.
Macron's visit comes amid escalating US-China trade tensions and challenges such as tariff threats. France aims to capitalize on this by securing contracts for French firms in defense, energy, and critical minerals sectors. Notably, French mining giant Eramet is pursuing increased nickel production in Indonesia, essential for global supply chains.
During his tour, Macron will engage with investors and students, attend a state dinner, and visit key cultural sites like the Borobudur temple in Yogyakarta. Following Indonesia, he will conclude his trip in Singapore.
In the broader geopolitical context, Macron has expressed France’s commitment to peace and a rules-based international order. Earlier in Vietnam, he described France as a "power of peace and balance," signaling a nuanced stance amid South China Sea territorial disputes and US trade policies. This positioning also extends to Macron's advocacy for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, seeking to engage Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, ahead of an upcoming United Nations conference.
