The Foreign Minister said that this is not an episode that will affect Chile's relationship with the Asian giant - they are trading partners and both belong to the APEC bloc - and that it is a problem of a global nature, not exclusive to this part of the world.
The conflict in Chile regarding steel continues. Along with the Minister of Economy, Nicolás Grau, and his concern for the 20 thousand unemployed that the closure of Huachipato will leave next October, there are recent statements by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren.
Regarding the situation in Huachipato, the foreign minister, who participated in one of the panels of the sixth business meeting “Impulsa 2024” of the CPC in Concepción, Bío Bío region, assured that relations with China are absolutely normal after the imposition of surcharges on steel from that country.
The Foreign Minister said that this is not an episode that will affect Chile's relationship with the Asian giant - they are trading partners and both belong to the APEC bloc - and that it is a problem of a global nature, not exclusive to this part of the world.
"It should be noted that in the case of the steel industry, the truth is that at the moment there is an oversupply from China and everything indicates that the problem will continue and even increase, basically because the demand for steel in China is falling and that means more steel for export and that affects all countries," he said.
Regarding how the national steel industry faces this type of crisis that occurs as a result of its immersion in the international scene, considering current bilateral agreements and economic blocs, the foreign minister said that it should represent a challenge.
"I think it is a challenge in terms of the ability of companies to adapt. Obviously, this adaptation is easier for companies that are in sectors that are more external than for a company like Huachipato, which was in a closer sector," he commented.
Van Klaveren and international law expert Paulina Astroza discussed how the Bío Bío region can capitalize on its international competitive advantages to grow economically.
