Chile pushes for more fruit exemptions from US tariff

Chile’s fresh fruit industry is seeking wider exemptions from a new 12.5% US tariff on Chilean exports.

Frutas de Chile president Iván Marambio discussed the issue with Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna, trade officials and other export associations. The meeting reviewed the latest US tariff decision and Chile’s ongoing negotiations with Washington.

Avocados, kiwifruit and oranges remain exempt from the measure. Frutas de Chile is now providing technical and commercial information to support the removal of tariffs from more products.

The association said Chilean fruit complements US domestic production by supplying the market during different seasons. It estimates that the trade supports more than 19,000 seasonal jobs in the United States and contributes about $4 billion to the US economy each year.

The industry plans to continue working with Chilean authorities as bilateral talks progress.

source and photo: frutasdechile.cl