Indonesia's textile makers struggle amid US tariffs

The textile industry is set to be among the hardest hit by the recent United States tariff hikes, with 40 percent of Indonesian textiles and apparel exports bound for the US market.

Industry players warn that the 32 percent so-called "reciprocal" tariff to be imposed on Indonesian goods once the 90-day suspension granted for bilateral negotiations ends could "accelerate layoffs" in a sector already struggling before the policy surfaced.

Efforts to diversify Indonesian exports beyond the US are deemed infeasible in the short term because of either limited market demand or intense competition from local players in target countries.