ABSTRACT

This study aims to explore the situation of geopolitical rivalries between Indonesia and European Union (EU), as seen through their disputes in the World Trade Organization (WTO). These disputes have garnered widespread attention from both Indonesia and European union communities and media outlets, who have provided continuous coverage of the events. This research is a multidisciplinary study that involves several fields of knowledge in analyzing the issue at hand. First, the concept of the global order in international relations is used to examine the international institutions that regulate relations between countries. Second, political science is used to analyze the Indonesia-EU dispute as a manifestation of geopolitical rivalries between two parties. The EU sees the dispute as an opportunity to maintain its dominance by implementing strict trade regulation, while Indonesia seek to expand its export market and avoid unfair trade barriers. Third, media analysis is used to examine media bias as an instrument that can strengthen or weaken geopolitical rivalry between Indonesia-EU. This research focuses on European news agencies that attempt to influence public perception by presenting the European Union’s actions as consistent with international trade rules and principles, while criticizing Indonesia’s position as protectionist. The research uses qualitative methods and media analysis, such as new source analysis and content analysis. In the next phase of research, the media analysis results will be used to provide interpretations related to the use of the concepts of global order and geopolitical rivalries. The initial findings of this study show that the international trade disputes between Indonesia-EU in the WTO are not just economic issues, but also a form of geopolitical rivalries involving media outlets practicing “media bias” in their reporting to the public.

Keywords: WTO dispute, Indonesia-European Union, global order, geopolitical rivalries, media bias.