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Original article: El garrote comercial de Washington: EE.UU. propone subir aranceles a Chile hasta 12,5%

Washington has activated a new trade pressure mechanism against Chile by proposing to raise import tariffs up to 12.5%, citing that the country has not implemented sufficient measures to prevent the import of goods produced through forced labor. This initiative, driven by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), places Chile among a group of 54 economies identified for failing to effectively enforce a ban on such labor practices.

The proposed tariffs represent an increase from the existing temporary tariff of 10% that already applies to certain Chilean products, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s invalidation of some previous sanctions enacted under former President Donald Trump.

USTR’s investigation over recent months concluded that Chile, alongside other nations such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Korea, maintains policies deemed «unreasonable» as they impose a burden or restriction on U.S. trade. The official report states that “Chile’s acts, policies, and practices related to the failure in imposing and effectively applying a ban on the importation of forced labor harm Washington’s economic interests.

In total, the U.S. recommendation affects 46 economies with a tariff rate of 12.5%, while another 14 would be subject to a 10% rate, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the same tool that Washington used during its trade war with China.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended the measure, arguing that “the lack of action by our key trading partners to address the importation of products made with forced labor is unacceptable.”

According to Greer, this situation “creates a dynamic where American workers are forced to compete globally under unequal conditions” and called on all trading partners to intensify their efforts to prevent global trade from “sustaining or promoting forced labor,” as reported by El Mostrador.

What Is the Kast Government’s Response?

From the government of José Antonio Kast, politically aligned with the ultraright Trump administration, Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna responded that the measure has not yet been approved and is currently under public consultation and analysis by U.S. authorities.

“Our country has actively participated in all processes and will continue to be actively engaged in discussions and negotiations with the respective counterparts, aiming to safeguard national interests and achieve the best conditions,” he stated.

He argued that the Free Trade Agreement between Chile and the United States remains fully in force, and while the trade pressure from Washington against our country threatens to escalate, the chancellor indicated that La Moneda is maintaining dialogue with U.S. counterparts to protect the national export sector.

La entrada Washington’s New Trade Pressure: U.S. Proposes Tariff Increases on Chile Up to 12.5% se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.