Indonesia’s Seaweed Exports to US Now Tariff-Free

Indonesia is set to gain a stronger foothold in the United States market for seaweed and agar-agar, a plant-based gelatin, after the US dropped its import tariff on these products to zero. The new trade measure removes a major cost barrier for Indonesian exporters, making their products more competitive against suppliers from other countries. Agar-agar, widely used in food, cosmetics, and laboratory settings, is derived from seaweed and is a key export commodity for Indonesia. The tariff reduction is expected to boost demand for Indonesian seaweed and processed derivatives in the US. Industry observers say the move could significantly increase revenue for local farmers and processing companies. While the exact timeline for the tariff’s implementation was not specified, the change takes effect immediately, according to trade officials. Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has welcomed the decision, calling it a step toward strengthening bilateral trade ties. No further details were provided on the volume of exports affected or potential impacts on other seaweed-exporting nations.