Chile ministers' tariff criticism draws U.S. ambassador's rebuke
· UPISANTIAGO, Chile, July 31 (UPI) -- U.S. Ambassador to Chile Brandon Judd raised diplomatic tensions with the Chilean government Thursday by saying criticism from Cabinet ministers of the additional 12.5% tariff imposed by Washington on some Chilean exports complicates diplomatic negotiations aimed at reversing it.
Speaking at a news conference, Judd said the negotiations being led by Chile's Undersecretariat for International Economic Relations could be undermined by public criticism from ministers who are not directly involved in the talks.
"It is very disappointing that, while negotiations are underway, ministers who are not involved in them come out and make comments, especially when they use terms such as 'sham,'" he said.
Chile was one of 60 countries affected by the tariff after the Office of the United States Trade Representative concluded that it lacks sufficient mechanisms to prevent the import or sale of goods produced with forced labor.
Judd's remarks came after Chilean Agriculture Minister Jaime Campos described the decision as "arbitrary" and illegal, accusing the United States of violating the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
"In plain language: terrible, regrettable news. What is being done to Chile is an arbitrary action by the U.S. government because it is violating the Free Trade Agreement that we had already signed," Campos told Radio Bío Bío.
"The argument is what bothers me the most. That's the 'excuse' [making up a justification]," he said.
Defense Minister Fernando Barros also criticized the measure, calling it "deeply unfair" and saying it raised doubts about the closeness and reliability of the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Amid the controversy, Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna sought to lower the tone of the dispute and reminded the public that talks with Washington are being conducted exclusively by the Foreign Ministry.
"The important thing here is to understand that the Foreign Ministry is the one negotiating this matter," he said in an interview with T13 Radio.
"These additional duties are being applied on top of a zero tariff. The Free Trade Agreement covers many other things, not just this. Therefore, it remains fully in force, and that is what matters. We are going to sit down and negotiate, and we will achieve the best outcome we can.".
The additional tariff on Chile affects exports of salmon, grapes, wine, cherries, frozen fruit, blueberries, apples, dairy products and certain forestry products, among others. The National Agriculture Society estimated that the 12.5% tariff will have a financial impact of up to $400 million on fresh fruit exports.
Negotiations between the two countries will continue in the coming weeks. In August, Jeffrey Goettman, deputy assistant at the Office of the United States Trade Representative, is expected to visit Chile to lead negotiations toward a possible agreement with the government of President José Antonio Kast.