Indonesia has won a favorable ruling from the World Trade Organization (WTO) in its dispute with the European Union over countervailing duties on biodiesel exports. The EU has imposed tariffs of 8–18% since 2019, citing unfair subsidies and below-market access to raw materials for Indonesian producers. The WTO panel, composed of representatives from South Africa, Mexico, and Belgium, concluded that the EU’s measures violated the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM), recommending that the EU bring its policies into compliance. Indonesian officials, including Trade Minister Budi Santoso and Director General Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, urged the EU not to appeal and emphasized that Indonesia had adhered to international trade rules. However, analysts suggest the EU may still appeal, which would stall the case indefinitely due to the nonfunctioning WTO Appellate Body. Despite the dispute, both sides remain committed to finalizing the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), which aims to eliminate general tariffs once ratified. Analysts warn that the EU’s decision on whether to appeal the WTO ruling could signal its broader stance on trade fairness and affect perceptions of its commitment to CEPA. While the biodiesel duties have severely impacted Indonesian exports—falling from 1.32 million kiloliters in 2019 to just 27,000 kl in 2024—Indonesia’s domestic B30/B35 program has absorbed much of the production. The Trade Ministry maintains that the WTO dispute and CEPA negotiations are separate, and the agreement is still expected to be signed in September.Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2025/09/02/indonesia-urges-eu-not-to-appeal-wtos-biodiesel-ruling.html  (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: The Jakarta Post, 2 September 2025