Chile Questions Partnership with Washington After US Tariffs

Chile’s Defense Minister cast doubt on the “credibility of the relationship” with the United States on Monday after Washington imposed trade tariffs on Santiago.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 trading partners, justifying the decision with allegations of forced labor in the targeted countries.

The United States is Chile’s second-largest trading partner after China, and far-right President José Antonio Kast has sought to strengthen ties with Trump since taking office in March.

Speaking to Infinita radio, he added that “we are supposed to be two very friendly and close countries,” noting that this move “raises doubts about the closeness and credibility of the partnership between the two countries.”

Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Macena had previously announced that Chile intends to negotiate to find a way out of these tariffs.

The two countries have been linked by a free trade agreement since 2004, with Chilean sales to the United States reaching $18 billion last year, according to official figures.