The European Union is appealing a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling in favor of Indonesia on a biodiesel import duty case. The plan to file an appeal was submitted by the European Union on September 26, 2025 as quoted by Reuters.
The EU's decision to appeal to the WTO will not affect Indonesia's position, because Indonesia has strong evidence and all allegations are not proven.
Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) Chairman Eddy Martono said that biodiesel exports to the European Union are very small, so there is not much of an impact. Indonesia has a biodiesel mandatory so that meeting domestic needs takes precedence over exports.
"Please let the European Union appeal, it's just a form of annoyance because they lost," Eddy told SUAR in Jakarta (29/9).
The positive thing taken from Indonesia's victory at the WTO is that Indonesia was not proven to have committed dumping practices as alleged.
He said the government must remain vigilant against the European Union and monitor its every move because the European Union will do various ways to bring down palm oil products and derivatives from Indonesia.
A small example, although Indonesia has signed a comprehensive economic agreement with the European Union/IEU-CEPA, the issue of deforestation related to CPO is still being discussed and never stops.
Long struggle
Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Biofuel Producers Association (APROBI) Catra de Thouars said the WTO panel's decision in favor of Indonesia on this dispute is a long struggle that should be celebrated.
This dispute stems from the European Union's policy of imposing countervailing duties on Indonesian biodiesel products from 2018-2019. In response, the government together with biofuel industry players, palm oil and legal experts took the path of a lawsuit to the WTO.
For almost two years, businesses fought tooth and nail against the European Union, and the fight was not in vain as it yielded sweet results this year, with Indonesia winning.
This victory is a breath of fresh air for the industry to continue fighting. However, the European Union may not remain silent and could take new steps to block the entry of Indonesian biodiesel.
"The government and industry players are asked to remain vigilant and prepare further strategies including this appeal," he told SUAR in Jakarta (29/9).
Look to the Future
Director General of International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Trade Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono does not want to comment too much on the appeal by the European Union, he will monitor the situation and future developments.
"We will continue to monitor future developments," he said when met at the Ministry of Trade in Jakarta (29/9).
As is known, there are at least three options that can be carried out by Indonesia and the European Union to respond to the WTO ruling.
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First, Indonesia and the EU have 20-60 days, in the period August 22-October 22, 2025, to consider accepting/adopting the panel's decision or pursuing an appeal.
The second option is for the EU to appeal through the WTO Appellate Body (AB). The Panel's decision has not yet been adopted so it is not binding and the imposition of Countervailing Duties (CVD) on Indonesian biodiesel products will continue.
Furthermore, the third option is for the EU and Indonesia to appeal through an Ad-Hoc Body.
"The Government of the Republic of Indonesia must develop the modalities of appeal after the EU proposed a delay in the adoption of the Panel Decision. Therefore, the Indonesian government must ensure the readiness of stakeholders and legal consultants," Djatmiko said in a press conference last August.
The MOT projects biodiesel exports to the European Union (EU) to stabilize at 6.7 percent following the victory of the DS618 dispute over countervailingduties (CVD) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Panel.
Based on data shared by the Ministry of Trade, Indonesia's biodiesel exports have fluctuated over the past 10 years. There was a decline in the 2020-2021 period after the imposition of the CVD (2019) which was influenced by factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in the volume of biodiesel exports to the world.
During the CVD imposition period (2020-2024), Indonesia's biodiesel exports to the EU continued to grow by 6.7 percent with an average export value of US$ 319.7 million.