Chile and US Open Tariff Talks in Santiago

Chile and the United States convened high-level tariff discussions in Santiago on Monday 24 August 2026 to tackle a 12.5% tariff imposed on Chilean exports. The talks were hosted by Chile’s Foreign Ministry, with Paula Estévez, the Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, leading the Chilean side. Jeffrey Goettman, deputy representative at the US Trade Representative, spearheaded the US delegation.

The primary objective was to review the priorities of Chile's export basket under the new tariff regime and explore ways to secure better market access for Chilean goods in the US. Both nations exchanged information on the economic significance of these products for their respective markets. The tariff was introduced on 24 July 2026, affecting a range of Chilean exports such as salmon, timber, fruits, wine and copper, which was excluded from the tariff.

The talks aimed to identify areas for negotiation and progress towards mutually beneficial solutions in the context of the broader process to address concerns about forced-labor issues in the supply chain. The US formalized the tariff measure under a Section 301-type measure relating to alleged trade violations. Both sides agreed to continue discussions in the coming weeks, focusing on better conditions for Chilean exporters and business groups.

The ultimate aim was to return to zero tariffs, as per the Free Trade Agreement conditions, although the path forward remains uncertain.