panama canal

The Indo-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture presents a summary of the important news events of the week.

Chilean President, Gabriel Boric, during an official visit from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, addressed the trade war initiated by Donald Trump and its potential effects on Chile's copper and agricultural exports. President Boric outlined the discussions he has had with various international leaders and the measures taken by the Chilean Government to anticipate possible economic impacts. The President emphasized the delicacy of the issue and reaffirmed Chile's commitment to multilateralism in international forums, rejecting unilateral decisions.

In other news, Chilean bottled wine exports have started 2025 on a high note, with an increase of 9.2% in volume and 6% in value compared to January 2024. The majority of our main markets started well this year, led by Brazil with an increase of almost 30% in volume and 20% in value compared to January 2024. Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Canada, the Netherlands, and Mexico also recorded significant increases this month. The notable exception is China, which continues to decline, this time by -16% in value compared to January of the previous year.

US tariffs on seafood imports may offer short-term gains for Norway and Chile's salmon exports, but they are bad news in the long term, warns a seafood market analyst from Kontali. A 25% tariff is expected to be imposed on Canadian and Mexican seafood products, and a similar tariff is anticipated for some imports from the EU.

Chile has been recognized as the South American and Latin American country that contributed the most cargo flow to the Panama Canal in the fiscal year 2024. It also ranked fifth in the hierarchy of nations by origin and destination, according to the Panama Canal Authority's Annual Report 2024.

However, the US President's tariff measures on agricultural products could slow the growth of exchange sectors in Chile. This announcement has caused concern in Chile's productive sector. Additionally, the 2024/2025 season of Chilean cherries closed with a negative balance, leaving estimated losses of more than US$1.6 billion for producers and exporters. The main destination for Chilean cherries, China, saw prices plummet due to a 60% increase in volumes sent, causing values to fall by 50% compared to the previous season.

• Presidente Boric aborda guerra comercial y revela medidas ante aranceles de EE.UU. (Radioagricultura.cl)
• Exportaciones de vino embotellado chileno, comienzan con el pie derecho este 2025. China, es la excepción, tras reportar un descenso de -16% | Publimicro (Publimicro.cl)
• Aranceles estadounidenses a productos del mar pueden beneficiar al salmón chileno (Salmonexpert.cl)
• Chile el país sudamericano que más flujo de carga contribuye al Canal de Panamá – Diario Chañarcillo (Chanarcillo.cl)
• conomista planteó que medidas de Trump pueden frenar el crecimiento de sectores de intercambio en Chile | Diario Usach (Diariousach.cl)
• Pérdidas de US$1.600 millones golpean al mercado de las cerezas chilenas (Sancarlosonline.cl)

The Indonesian-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Culture brings to you a summary of this week's news concerning trade, exports, and international relations.

Chilean exports experienced a downturn in November, with sales reaching only US$7.731 billion FOB, marking a 4% decrease compared to the same period last year. This marks the eighth consecutive month of negative performance. However, the trade balance indicated a positive balance of US$1.288 billion during the same period.

As part of the commemoration of ProChile's 50th anniversary, the General Directorate of Export Promotion will bring 25 of its representatives to Chile to hold business meetings with exporters in three cities. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with Chilean commercial attachés in 21 international markets, present their exportable offer, obtain information on trends and commercial opportunities, and analyze possible support requirements and collaboration strategies.

The drought affecting the Panama Canal has been causing delays for ships carrying exports, including Chilean and Peruvian fresh fruit and US grains. The low water level limits the number of transits through the waterway, leading to increased costs and delays. The situation has led some US agricultural producers to ship their grain by train to the Pacific Northwest and send it to Asia from there.

ProChile has launched its work plan for the coming year, emphasizing global presence and the incorporation of productive regions and SMEs. In 2023, Chilean exports represented a third of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a significant increase from 1990, when it was around 10%.

The cherry season has begun in the Port of San Antonio, with 15 ships setting off for countries like Brazil, the United States, and China, the latter being the main consumer due to the Asian New Year which considers this fruit as a symbol of good luck.

On a different note, Ford has acquired a stake in an Indonesian nickel project, further strengthening the ties between our two nations.

• Exportaciones en Chile vuelven a caer en noviembre | Diario Financiero (Df.cl)
• ENEXPRO Agregados Comerciales: 25 representantes de ProChile viajan al país para reunirse con exportadores (Prochile.gob.cl)
• Sequía del Canal de Panamá afecta exportaciones de granos estadounidenses y a la fruta fresca de Chile y Perú - MundoMaritimo (Mundomaritimo.cl)
• Productividad, sostenibilidad y diversidad; la hoja de ruta de la promoción chilena en el exterior · Noticias de Economía y negocios (Trade-news.cl)
• Cerezas son las protagonistas de las exportaciones chilenas esta temporada | 24horas (24horas.cl)
• Ford adquiere participación en proyecto de níquel en Indonesia (Redimin.cl)