Last week, the Office of the United States Trade Representative decided to impose a 12.5 percent levy on a significant portion of Chilean imports, arguing that the country has failed to implement mechanisms to prevent the entry of goods produced using forced labor.

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs countered that the measure—which will affect sectors such as salmon, fruit, wine, and timber—does not reflect reality or the nation’s robust labor institutions.

Addressing the issue, the academic from the University of Santiago’s Faculty of Administration and Economics noted that the United States is the primary destination for Chilean agricultural and forestry products.

  Consequently, she stated, this will impact not only local producers but also the jobs they generate across various regions.

  Given this scenario, Vera believes the government should adopt a firm stance, review the Free Trade Agreement with the United States, and turn to international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO).

  She also considers it necessary to strengthen ties with Asia—not only to promote trade and foreign direct investment in Chile but also to forge agreements that facilitate technology transfer and, in doing so, revitalize rural areas.

  Various productive sectors, including the fruit industry and the Chilean Wood Corporation, rejected the tariffs, describing them as unjustified, disproportionate, and detached from reality.

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