US Pressure on Indonesia to Reject China: What is going on?

Indonesia’s economic and military importance in Southeast Asia have drawn attention from both the west and the east. With a GDP of $1.19 trillion in 2023, Indonesia is the region's largest economy and ranks 16th globally by nominal GDP. Its projected 5% growth in 2024 is driven by strong domestic consumption and substantial infrastructure investments. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), totalling $47.5 billion in 2023, has significantly boosted key sectors like metal goods and telecommunications. Militarily, Indonesia has a substantial force of 400,000 active personnel and a $9.4 billion defense budget, underscoring its strategic regional influence.

Indonesia's position in global geopolitics has often been neutral, especially in the face of international tensions and challenges. However, in recent years, the country has shown an increasing inclination towards China over the United States and the West. This shift is driven by several factors, primarily economic and strategic considerations.

Economically, China's robust investment in Indonesia, particularly in the nickel industry, has solidified their partnership. Indonesia has become a leading global producer of nickel, a critical component for electric vehicle batteries, with Chinese companies heavily investing in the sector. This economic synergy has propelled Indonesia to supply over half of the world's nickel, making China its primary partner in this venture.

Strategically, Indonesia's stance is shaped by regional dynamics and the perception of the United States' reliability as a partner. While the U.S. has made significant diplomatic efforts in Southeast Asia, including high-level visits and the establishment of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, there are growing doubts about its commitment and consistency. These concerns have been exacerbated by the U.S.'s involvement in global conflicts, which some Southeast Asian countries perceive as destabilizing.

Furthermore, Indonesia's alignment with China is also driven by regional geopolitical realities. China is viewed as the most influential economic and political power in Southeast Asia, and Indonesia, along with other ASEAN nations, finds economic alignment with China advantageous despite underlying apprehensions about China's strategic intentions.

In this video, we explore the complex relationship of Indonesia with China and the US, from both historical and modern perspectives.

[junman-onyz]

Outside if military, The USA offers nothing economically.

[mna]

Indo nesia knows what u.s did with their economy in 1980s to 90s

[saretahwarlim]

Amerika sok2an mikirin muslimin di China dan mengkritik China tentang HAM, sedangkan muslimin di Palestina yg dijajah Israel dan dibantai termasuk anak kecil dan wanita oleh Israel malah didukung AS, karena kriminalnya dilakukan oleh sekutunya, kemunafikan yg nyata

[happymelon]

When the U$A says they want to help you by building infrastructure in your country, they don't mean hospitals, roads, schools, etc.
They mean military bases.
--island country saying

[mna]

after palestin you think any muslim country would trust u.s😂😂😂

[Jaroslav]

Indonesia should not allow USA to spoil their good relationship with neighbour China.

[D.N.A.]

Indonesia, China are good buisness partners and friend for decades many chinese indonesians live for century's in indonesia 😊

[paultsjan]

The US strong-arm tactic to force Indonesia into an awkward position to choose US and western sphere of influence against China is to enforce full compliance to US interest and US foreign policy all over the world.

Southeast Asia is composed of eleven countries of impressive diversity in religion, culture and history.

All countries would like to have friendly relationship with the US and China without having to choose sides on the dispute and it is not in our interests to do so.

We are living in the region in Asia with China as neighbor and not in North America with the US.

Any countries that have been subjugated by the US and the Western colonial powers of Europe will not look too kindly at the US and the West.

Asian countries will not support the US and the West sinister narrative and open hostility and vociferous propaganda against China.

The US is the master of dissemination of information: facts, arguments, rumours, half-truths, or lies to influence public opinion.

Deliberateness and a relatively heavy emphasis on manipulation distinguish propaganda from casual conversation or the free and easy exchange of ideas.

Mike Pompeo who served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2017 to 2018 and as the 70th United States secretary of state from 2018 to 2021 has famously said that the US cheat, steal and lies to suit US interest in a public forum.


The US negative narrative on China is to demonize and creates an adverse reactions on China to suit US whim.

The US like to portrays other countries as an antagonists as well as an adversary when the US face with competition to its economy and its primacy that the US regard it as their domains and sphere of influence and will not accept any competition from another country.


Well, that’s US and that’s just the way US is and always has been.

[reginaldlagrone]

Asia, and Africa, are moving away from Colonial countries like the U.S. and EU countries. These former Plantation Owners, don't benefit Asia. BRICS is made of non-Colonial countries, that is why it is so attractive

[bambangwidarsono]

Unfortunately, the US in indonesia is increasingly seen as a bully. China is also troublesome in relation to South China sea, but it helps indonesia much in economics sector. On the other hand, the West in general only offer tons of sanctions on Indonesia if it does not 'behave' in accordance to their wish.

[ncchew]

Indonesia's non-alignment policy makes it a neutral party between China snd the US, but it is increasingly drawn to a closer economic tie with China. It will be a shamefully futile attempt by Uncle Sam to pressure Indonesia to reject China.

[pachuco]

the whole wide world has been watching the USA dollar dropped by many world countries

[choonhockong]

Indonesia boleh, who is the US to force Indonesia? Indonesia wants trade and peace in this region and not to be used as a puppet of the US like the Philippines, Japan, South Korea 😂.

[JIANGTG]

Indonesia must be highly alert to prevent the U.S. intention to topple its regime ....

[kimmosaman]

US the warmonger pressure everybody to side with the warmonger.

[Elemenopi]

Indonesia, where the dominant religion is Islam and support Palestine, why does US think they can just tell a sovereign country how to run their economy? The US will just create poverty and misery for Indonesia.

[choykong]

Indonesia is no puppets like Pinoys..😝🤣

[souria]

L’ Indonésie 🇮🇩 doit rester loin de l’Amerique quand elle donne un dollar, il y a toujours un calcul politique

[dny]

Indonesia has learned a lot about cooperation with the US where political struggles in the US have hampered cooperation with the US, one of which is the economic and equipment embargo, Indonesia prefers open cooperation without any political pressure.

[Moonst]

Asia is always strong together❤ China Korea Japan Russia Turkiye Indonesia Pakistan Iran Taiwan Tayland