Chile prepares public-private response to U.S. tariff pressure

Chile’s government and export sector are coordinating a technical response to the tariff pressure facing shipments to the United States, one of the country’s main trade partners.

Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna and Subrei Undersecretary Paula Estévez led a meeting of the Public-Private Group with Frutas de Chile and other major export associations. The session focused on gathering sector data, reviewing proposals and building a common position ahead of Chile’s next steps in tariff talks with U.S. authorities.

According to Frutas de Chile, this was the eighth meeting of the group. The government is preparing arguments to present to U.S. bodies in early July, with officials stressing that dialogue and negotiation remain the main route forward.

The issue is particularly important for Chilean fruit exporters. Fruit is the country’s second-largest export sector after copper, generating more than 600,000 jobs a year and over US$8 billion in income. Any change in trade conditions with the U.S. could therefore affect not only exporters, but also employment, competitiveness and supply chains.

Estévez called on industry groups to remain active in the consultation process, saying their input is needed to show the possible impact of new measures. Frutas de Chile president Iván Marambio also underlined the importance of a united approach, noting that a large share of Chilean fruit exports goes to the U.S.

He added that the longer-term challenge is to diversify both Chile’s export basket and its destination markets.

source and photo: frutasdechile.cl