The Road to Trade Winds – the Americas: Chile

January 10, 2025

Martin Claessens is the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago

In just a few months, the U.S. government’s largest annual trade mission and business development forum is heading to South America. If your business is interested in export opportunities in the region, this event presents a great opportunity to learn about the region firsthand. The Trade Winds – The Americas Forum will take place in São Paulo, Brazil between April 7th and 9th, with additional mission stops in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay taking place just before and after the forum in São Paulo.

Chile – Open Markets, Solid Business Practices, and Strong Institutions

Chile has long been a strong trading partner and export market for U.S. companies for a variety of reasons. It has open market policies, solid business practices and a low corruption index. Since the U.S. Chile Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Chile FTA) entered into force in 2004, bilateral trade in goods and services has quintupled. The U.S.-Chile FTA has reduced tariffs on the majority of U.S.-origin products to Chile. In 2023, trade in goods and services between the U.S. and Chile was $46.8 billion. 

Energy costs in Chile are among the highest in South America, so the country is actively seeking solutions and capital to increase its capacity, creating opportunities for U.S. companies in the energy technologies sector, including smart grid solutions and energy storage. There are also numerous opportunities for companies providing innovative solutions in a range of sectors, such as mining, digital technology and AI, and safety and security equipment including firefighting and disaster relief solutions. 

U.S. businesses should expect high levels of competition in Chile given its open trade and investment policies, which have attracted interest from firms around the globe. The commercial team at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago stands ready to help U.S. businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges in the market. 

To learn more, check out ITA’s Country Commercial Guide.

Join Us in 2025

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, Trade Winds - The Americas is a great opportunity. Check out the Trade Winds website for more information and to apply. When you do, I hope that you’ll consider joining the mission stop in Chile. My team and I look forward to welcoming you to Santiago in April!