Abstract:
BRICS has emerged as a prominent intergovernmental organization representing the
Global South and providing a counterbalance to Western-dominated institutions. Indonesia’s
potential accession has attracted widespread attention, raising questions about the implications
for its trade and foreign policy. This study investigates how Indonesia’s accession into BRICS
may reshape its bilateral trade relations with China, the U.S., and ASEAN within the context
of shifting geopolitical dynamics. By employing qualitative methods, specifically literature
review and in-depth interviews with embassy officials in Jakarta, the research focuses on how
Indonesia’s foreign policy shift affects the country’s trade relations under the administrations
of Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto. The analysis highlights three central findings. First,
Indonesia’s entry into BRICS is expected to reinforce trade cooperation with other BRICS
members, positioning the country as a more active player in the Global South economic
engagement. Second, this shift risks straining Indonesia’s relations with the U.S., which has
adopted an increasingly defensive stance toward initiatives perceived as undermining its global
dominance. Third, while Indonesia’s engagement with ASEAN is likely to remain stable, the
organization’s long-standing “centrality” may face challenges as Indonesia reorients part of its
foreign policy agenda. Overall, the study underscores Indonesia’s delicate balancing act
between strengthening new partnerships and managing established alliances.
