European Commission Directorate-General for Trade

Chile

In terms of trade value, Chile ranks 32nd among EU import partners and 39th among export partners. [The EU is Chile's second largest source of imports after the USA and its second largest biggest export market, after the recent rise of China.] The EU and Chile concluded an Association Agreement in 2002, which included a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that entered into force in February 2003.

The agreement of the FTA has led to a significant increase in trade in goods and services between the EU and Chile. European imports have more than doubled since 2003.

Chile has a very wide network of free trade agreements, and is an important ally for the EU for further trade liberalisation, including in the ongoing WTO Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations.

The EU-Chile FTA is broad and comprehensive and covers all the areas of EU-Chile trade relations

Trade in goods

• EU exports of goods to Chile 2009: €4.5 billion
• EU imports of goods from Chile 2009: €7.4 billion

Key European imports from Chile include: mining products (52.6%), among which ores (17.4%) and non ferrous metals (35.1%), fish (5.1%) and other non food products (26.2%), as well as raw materials (6.1%). Important European exports to Chile include: machinery and electric equipment (38.2%), transport equipment (12.3%), chemical products (13.1%), and fuel (9%).

Trade in services

• EU exports of services to Chile 2008: €2.4 billion
• EU imports of services from Chile 2008: €1.4 billion

More statistics on Chile

The EU-Chile FTA and its future evolution

The EU-Chile FTA is broad and comprehensive and covers all the areas of EU-Chile trade relations, going well beyond WTO commitments. The agreement eliminates barriers to trade and establishes clear, stable and transparent rules for exporters, importers and investors. It creates a free trade area in goods, services and government procurement, liberalises investment and capital flows and strengthens the protection of intellectual property rights. The agreement created an Association Committee and Special Committees that meet once a year to deal with bilateral trade irritants and to assess further possibilities for widening bilateral trade and investment.

The EU-Chile Free Trade Agreement foresees that both parties will further liberalise trade in agricultural goods and services in the future. Both parties are interested in improving market access for their products and services. Discussions on the protection of Geographical Indications will also be important part of the further deepening of the FTA.