Chile and China Discuss Trade Agreement Progress at 20-Year Mark

Original article: Delegaciones de Chile y China revisaron avances del TLC entre ambos países a 20 años de su entrada en vigencia

This week in Beijing, the 8th Free Trade Commission (FTC) for the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Chile and China was held. The event was announced by the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (Subrei).

According to the agency, the meeting addressed the progress made in implementing the agreement and explored opportunities to further strengthen the economic and commercial relationship between the two countries.

The Chilean delegation was led by Felipe Lopeandía, the Director General of Bilateral Economic Affairs from the Undersecretariat, accompanied by the heads of the Asia Departments of Subrei, Pablo Urria, and Trade Regulatory Affairs, Fernando Catalán, along with Chile’s ambassador to China, Alfonso Silva.

On the Chinese side, the delegation was led by Chao Chen, the Director General of the International Trade and Economic Affairs Department of the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Commerce, who appreciated Chile’s proposal to develop an impact study of the FTA, «an initiative that will allow for an in-depth analysis of its outcomes and the identification of new areas and opportunities of mutual interest.»

Subrei representatives noted that during the meeting, «the evolution of the trade relationship since the FTA’s entry into force in October 2006 was reviewed; the complementarity of both economies in terms of goods and investments was highlighted; and the role this agreement has played in strengthening bilateral ties was emphasized.»

The main agenda items included the review of various issues related to market access for goods, particularly pending health and phytosanitary authorization processes, which were the key topics of discussion.

Statistics on Chile-China Bilateral Trade

Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, Paula Estévez, reminded that «today, China accounts for nearly one-third of Chile’s foreign trade,» underscoring its significance «for our international economic integration.»

Additionally, Estévez noted, «Chile has become a reliable partner for China and is its third-largest trading partner in Latin America,» providing some figures that illustrate the bilateral trade between the two nations:

• Between January and August 2026, trade exchanges reached US$ 45.647 billion, showing an increase of 8.3% compared to the same period in 2025.
• Chilean exports to China totaled US$ 27.887 billion, with an 11.1% rise.
• Imports from China amounted to US$ 17.650 billion, marking a 4% increase.
• The trade balance registered a surplus of US$ 11.599 billion.
• In 2025, the main exported Chilean products included copper minerals (US$ 25.573 billion), cherries (US$ 2.888 billion), copper cathodes (US$ 2.619 billion), lithium carbonates (US$ 1.205 billion), and wood pulp (US$ 950 million).
• In 2025, significant imported products included smartphones (US$ 1.207 billion), electric accumulators (US$ 945 million), photovoltaic generators (US$ 717 million), passenger cars (US$ 699 million), and data processing machines (US$ 514 million).

We will continue to provide updates.