扒哥吃瓜

My first visit to Chile as a Minister at the British Foreign Office聽brings聽me to聽Santiago for聽the inauguration of President Jos茅 Antonio Kast聽-聽a ceremony of great democratic spirit, and an opportunity for me to聽reflect聽on聽the relationship between our nations: one that is聽founded on shared values, but, crucially, that looks聽towards the future.聽

Our relationship is built on聽a foundation of mutually聽open economies聽-聽with a聽shared聽focus on economic growth.聽Chile is the one of the UK鈥檚 most important trading partners in Latin America, with a total trade in goods and services worth 拢2.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2025. With the United Kingdom鈥檚 accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2024, we became members of a bloc聽representing聽15% of global GDP, of which Chile has been a part since 2023. Together, we are well placed to make the most of the trading聽opportunities this agreement offers.聽

The relationship between our two nations is also shaped by a shared understanding that economic growth goes hand in hand with聽a focus on聽environmental conservation and sustainability. The United Kingdom and Chile work together in areas of mutual interest, such as upholding high ESG standards in the critical minerals industry, essential to the energy transition, and driving the development of new clean energy sources. These collaborations are central to our collective future.聽

Chile鈥檚 extraordinary range of natural resources and the United Kingdom鈥檚聽expertise聽in mining and energy make us natural partners. For instance, with the signing of two agreements in January, the British Geological Survey (BGS)聽established聽new partnerships with the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) and the National Lithium and Salt Flats Institute (InLiSa). These agreements will allow us to continue promoting the exchange of聽cutting-edge聽information and technology, helping to develop advanced methodologies for the sustainable exploration and extraction of minerals, and attracting investment to the sector.聽

Another of the聽most promising areas聽for our聽collaboration is the development of the naval shipbuilding industry. Chile鈥檚 National Shipbuilding Policy reflects genuine聽ambition,聽and the United Kingdom has relevant experience to support in this area. In Scotland, investment in the shipbuilding industry has helped revitalise coastal communities, creating quality jobs, driving聽innovation聽and bringing together universities, industry, and government around a common purpose.聽

The Biobio region in Chile presents a remarkably similar opportunity. As communities聽seek聽to reinvent themselves, shipbuilding offers a pathway to sustainable economic development. We want to walk that path alongside Chile, sharing our knowledge and working together to transform industrial heritage into industrial renewal.聽

Scientific collaboration聽is another significant area of our partnership -聽from astronomy to the protection of oceans and the study of climate change. Furthermore, Chile鈥檚 role as a gateway to Antarctica makes it a strategic partner. The collaboration between the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) has deep historical roots that go beyond scientific research; it also plays an important geopolitical role focused on the protection of the white continent.聽

The start of a new government in Chile is a natural moment to reflect on what this partnership聽represents聽and where it can go. At its heart, it is a relationship between two nations that believe in democracy, open聽economies聽and the role of science.聽

The future of our relationship will continue to be built on these foundations. My visit to Chile聽has only聽strengthened my belief in聽the extraordinary potential of the聽partnership聽between the United Kingdom and Chile, and I reiterate my congratulations to the new administration.

Further information

If you want to know more about this visit, please contact the Communications Office.

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