Chile Pushes for U.S. Copper Tariff Discussions in Broader Trade Talks
Chile Urges U.S. to Address Copper Tariffs in Ongoing Trade Negotiations
Chile is urging the United States to include proposed copper tariffs in broader trade negotiations taking place in Washington this week, according to Finance Minister Mario Marcel.
Speaking on Monday during an interview with local radio station Duna, Marcel emphasized the importance of addressing the issue as part of comprehensive trade discussions.
The move comes in response to a recent announcement by the Trump administration, which plans to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports starting August 1.
Chile, the world’s leading producer of copper, is also the largest supplier of refined copper to the U.S., though it exports significantly larger volumes to China.
“This week marks the beginning of a second round of trade talks between Chilean officials and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office,” said Marcel. “What we hope is that these conversations in Washington will also cover the issue of copper.
It wouldn’t be practical to finalize a trade agreement that excludes more than half of our exports to the U.S., such as copper and wood.”
When asked whether Chile would request an exemption from the incoming U.S. copper tariffs, Marcel clarified that the country aims to address the tariffs as part of a broader agreement rather than as a separate issue.
“We want this to be resolved within the overall framework of our trade discussions,” Marcel explained. “Copper is a central component of our exports, and we believe it should be treated accordingly in any deal.”
He added that other countries have successfully negotiated exemptions and carve-outs in their trade agreements, and Chile intends to pursue a similar approach.
