Santiago and Washington have an active trade agreement that includes an anti dumping section, shielding both countries from such practices.
By José Tomás Guzmán
The Trump administration’s announcement of a review for the potential imposition of tariffs on copper imports is particularly crucial for Chile, as the local mining industry supplies 70% of the mineral shipments to the United States, according to investment bank JP Morgan.
However, experts warn that advancing with the implementation of tariffs would be “counterproductive,” given that nearly half of the U.S. consumption of this key raw material for the energy transition is imported. In 2024, Chile shipped 586,400 metric tons of copper to the U.S., accounting for 70.3% of total imports and covering slightly more than one third of the total demand in that market. Additionally, according to the bank, “only two major smelters are currently operational in the U.S.”
Juan Carlos Guajardo, director of consulting firm Plusmining, believes it is “difficult” to argue that copper poses a risk to the U.S., as Trump suggested.
Meanwhile, Chile’s National Mining Society (Sonami) stated that they will continue to monitor the situation closely: “Our copper exports to the U.S. complement its economy, not compete with it.”
Source: EMOL