A hot topic that has become a global discussion on the imposition of trade tariffs imposed by Donald Trump became the subject of an online discussion hosted by Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta via zoom meeting (10/04/2025). How does the unilateral policy imposed by the USA affect international trade and the global economy, especially Indonesia? How do young people respond to it? The resource person for this discussion was Dr. Murti Lestari, M.Si, observer, researcher, economics teacher, along with the moderator of the discussion Yohanes Dian Alpasa, S.Si., a multiplier of Stube HEMAT in Bengkulu, an observer of youth education, who currently works at the Ministry of Religion (Ministry of Religion) Bengkulu, Sumatra.

The resource person began the discussion with the question, why did Trump's policies provoke global frustation? This highlighted the preference of nations for free trade, a concept championed by the USA since 1964 to foster economic globalization. Historically, many countries adopted an autarky system—a self-sufficient economic model with minimal or no international trade. This approach aimed to ensure nations could meet their own needs without relying on imports, as exemplified by North Korea's past practices.

Trade activities were initially championed by the victorious nations of World War II, particularly the United States and its allies. International trade played a pivotal role in the rapid economic recovery of war-torn countries like Germany and Japan. It was later extended to developing nations to support their growth. Furthermore, because it is necessary to have rules and mechanisms to ensure fair, efficient, and mutually beneficial trade, international trade institutions such as GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) were established in 1947 in Geneva, which later in 1995 changed to the WTO (World Trade Organization). In its development, other trade organizations such as AFTA, NAFTA, APEC, OECD, BRICS, and so on emerged. Without these trade governing institutions, the global market would be chaotic and full of high volatility, as it is now with Trump's unilateral policy of raising trade tariffs.

The discussion was lively, with participants raising various questions, including the reasons behind Trump's unilateral tariff policy, the concept of non-tariff barriers, strategies during a tariff war, and ways Indonesia can improve its trade practices. Other topics included why Indonesia is perceived as unfair in international trade by the United States, approaches to engaging foreign investors, and the purpose of TKDN (Domestic Content Level). A key takeaway from the resource persons was the importance of preparing competitive Indonesian human resources to seize job opportunities both domestically and internationally. China was highlighted as a prime example of a country excelling in international trade, both in goods and services.

The ongoing trade war underscores the need for Indonesia, especially its young generation, to enhance its competitiveness—both as a nation and through skilled human resources. Adapting to rapidly changing global dynamics requires resilience, innovation, and the ability to compete effectively. Wishing you success in your journey of self-improvement! ***