Sherry Tao Kong, Peking University: The paper has made two valuable contributions. First, it offers a clear assessment of the impact of the ongoing trade tension between China and the United States on the largest Southeast Asian economy, Indonesia. The short message is that limited direct impact can be observed, although theory and intuition both suggest that indirect and potential impact may be looming. Second, the paper gives voice to an important middle power, presenting a sensible perspective that focuses on the long-term benefit of Indonesia's development and greater good for the world as a whole.
To substantiate their assessment, Ing and Vadila provided evidence based on Indonesia's trade performance in 2018. Indonesia recorded growth in both exports and imports at an overall level, both to as well as from the United States and China. In addition, although investment into Indonesia only grew moderately and foreign direct investment from both...