U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday said selling energy to the European Union would be a key focus as his administration seeks to eliminate a trade deficit with the bloc.

“The European Union’s been very bad to us,” Trump told reporters at the White House, accusing European nations of not buying enough U.S. goods.

“They’re going to have to buy their energy from us, because they need it and they’re going to have to buy it from us. They can buy it, we can knock off $350 billion in one week.”
Source: Reuters

Indonesia to adjust crude palm oil export tax, finance minister says

Indonesia will adjust its crude palm oil export tax to reduce the burden on exporters from U.S. tariffs, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said on Tuesday.

Indonesia currently imposes an export tax of up to $288 per ton on crude palm oil, depending on price levels. It also imposes separate export levies on the vegetable oil.

The move should reduce the burden on exporters “by an equivalent of 5%”, the minister said without providing further detail.
She was speaking at a gathering of business executives to discuss government efforts to mitigate risks from U.S. tariffs.
Source: Reuters