US seeks 'win-win' trade relations with Indonesia: Pence (Lead)

Jakarta, April 20:  US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday said the his government seeks "win-win" trade relations with Indonesia.

Pence and Indonesian President Joko Widodo met in Jakarta on Thursday, agreeing on free and fairer trade which can spur economic expansion in both nations, Xinhua news agency reported.

Pence said US exporters should face a level playing field and trade relations should be "win-win".

Indonesian President Widodo said the two nations would strengthen strategic partnership which will focus on cooperation and investment.

Indonesia, southeast Asia's biggest economy, is among the 16 US trade partners under review for having a trade surplus with the United States.

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla argued that Indonesia's low imports from the US are partly due to high price of the products.

The total trade volume between Indonesia and the US reached $23.4 billion last year, with Indonesia having a surplus of $8.8 billion, according to Indonesian Trade Ministry.

Indonesia mainly ships textiles, sea food and footwear to the US, and mainly imports aircraft, machinery and soybean from the world's largest economy.

Pence arrived in Jakarta on Wednesday evening for a two-day visit to the country.