REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of National Development Planning and head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro warns of the risk of trade protectionism pledged by U.S. President Donald Trump. The pre-election political pledge of Trump is potential to cause damage to the global economy, Bambang said here on Thursday.

"It might only be a political commitment, but mere words by a world leader could trigger protectionism in other parts of the world," the minister said addressing a working meeting at the Trade Ministry.

He said signs of protectionism were already visible when the United States announced withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) after the installation of President Trump.

He said it is difficult not to acknowledge the position of the United States, being the world's largest economy, as one of the largest export destinations.

He said other trade pacts like North America Free Trade Area (NAFTA) might at last be defunct after its members Canada and Mexico look reluctant to cooperate with the United States.

"Canada began to turn to China or the European Union after theyare included in the list of 16 countries registering trade surplus with the United States. It is just possible that Mexico would decide to withdraw from NAFTA after often being bullied by the United States," he said.

The condition of suspecting each other could happen in other regions disrupting the long developed spirit of cooperation in trade, he said.

"We must remain to be on guard and firm especially as the indicators of our export import transparency as mentioned in the sustainable development goals (SDG) is still below the international standard, which means our economy is not yet open," he said.

Hopefully the rapidly growing trade especially exports could continue with more diversified commodities and countries of destination, he said. 

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