LEGAL REGULATIONS ON TRADE AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR CONTROLLING NATIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES: A LEGAL REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF REGULATION, PROTECTION OF BUSINESS ACTORS AND CONSUMERS, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Gunawan Widjaja (Fakultas Hukum Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Jakarta)

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL ECONOMICS (IJEFE)
Vol. 2 No. 8 (2026): INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL ECONOMICS (IJEFE)

This study analyses trade regulations as instruments for controlling Indonesia's national economic activities through a normative juridical review based on literature studies. Using a legislative approach to Law No. 7 of 2014 on Trade, Law No. 5 of 1999 on Business Competition, and Law-Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection, the study identifies two main functions: (1) the role of trade regulation in controlling distribution, selective protectionism, and trade balance stability; and (2) legal protection for business actors and consumers that creates a healthy competitive climate and market confidence. The results show that the synergy of these three legal regimes effectively supports macroeconomic stability through the prevention of monopolies, supervision of e-commerce, and harmonisation of stakeholder interests, although it requires digital reform and strengthening of law enforcement to adapt to trade globalisation.