Indonesia’s president has just started a five-day visit to the United States. He’s following a path that’s similar to recent trips of other Asian leaders—including meetings not only with government officials, but also with technology executives. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
It’s become a familiar pattern: Asian leaders travel to Washington DC for discussions and photo opportunities, and also stop by the west coast for the same activities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping did it last month…so did Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Now Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo is making a bi-coastal trip with similar goals: policy talks in Washington, and further west, investment pitches to technology firms. One of his key meetings in California will be with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of tin - a product that’s used in I-phones and other Apple products. Indonesia has also come under international criticism for illegal tin mining—including the use of child labor. Apple wants reassurances that its tin is sourced legally - Indonesia wants more direct investment from Apple and other technology companies. In Washington, Widodo’s talks with President Obama will cover trade and investment, maritime cooperation, other security matters, and climate issues.
Indonesia is currently at the center of an increasingly dangerous situation involving air pollution. Illegal fires are producing haze that’s drifting across swaths of Southeast Asia - choking certain areas, disrupting everything from schools to flights as far north as the Philippines.
