PT Tata Metal Lestari (PT TML), an Indonesian company, exported 10,000 tons of coated steel to the United States, with a total export value of USD 12.6 million or equivalent to IDR 205.38 billion (exchange rate of IDR 16,300). Despite the imposition of a 50% import tariff on steel by the United States, which is higher than the 19% tariff applied to other products, the country remains reliant on imports to meet its coated steel needs. In order to enhance competitiveness, domestic industry players must improve efficiency in their production processes to increase the value added of the products they produce. Since October 2024, PT TML has maintained continuous exports to the United States and Canada. During the course of 2025, the company has shipped on four occasions, with an export target of 69,000 tonnes. This represents an increase of 133% in comparison to the 2024 realisation.
The Minister of Industry has stated that these exports demonstrate the trust and acceptance of Indonesian steel products in the global market, reflecting the capability of Indonesia's manufacturing industry to produce products that meet global standards. Furthermore, Indonesia has secured more favourable import tariffs from the United States compared to competing countries. This is a key asset for boosting the competitiveness of the national industry. Agus has stated that exports are currently a key driver of the national economy. In addition to exports, the economy is driven by household consumption, government spending, and investment. Therefore, industrial downstreaming policies must be consistently implemented to create high-value-added derivative products. Moreover, this development presents a valuable opportunity for industry players to supply downstream products to export markets, including the United States. However, he also emphasised the continued potential of the domestic market. Approximately 80% of Indonesia's manufacturing output is directed towards meeting domestic market needs. This situation must be safeguarded against the influx of imported products.
Source:
https://finance.detik.com/industri/d-8019679/10-ribu-ton-baja-ri-tembus-pasar-as
