JK asks the EU to strengthen cooperation with Asia rather than the United States – VIVA

VIVA – Vice President Jusuf Kalla called on EU countries to strengthen their trade cooperation with Asian countries rather than with the United States.

This issue was discussed at a bilateral meeting between the Korean Communist Party and European Commissioner Frans Timmermans on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, Belgium.

"In this situation, Asia and Europe must work together," JK said at the venue of the meeting, the Berlaymont Building, quoted in a statement from the Secretariat of the Vice President (Setwapres) received on Friday, October 19, 2018 .

According to JK, at the moment, trade cooperation with the United States is not as simple as it is before, and is often not even binding on the cooperating countries. Because, through protectionist policies, President Donald Trump believes he is protecting the national interests of the United States.

"America itself is hard to guess, uncertain, too much food. Europe also faces the same difficulties (working with the United States), "said JK.

JK said that a number of measures had also been taken to improve cooperation between Asian countries and the European Union. Indonesia itself has entered the sixth round of the formation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union.

The conclusion of such an agreement will form the basis of a mbadive trade cooperation between Indonesia, as well as other Asian countries and the European Union.

"We really need to discuss how this European relationship is best established with Asia alone," said JK. (Ase)