MP, Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State (Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and
the Caribbean) reflects on his visit to Chile.
My first visit to Chile as a Minister at the British Foreign
Office brings me to Santiago for the
inauguration of President José Antonio Kast - a
ceremony of great democratic spirit, and an opportunity for me
to reflect on the relationship between our
nations: one that is founded on shared values, but,
crucially, that looks towards the future.
Our relationship is built on a foundation of
mutually open economies - with
a shared focus on economic growth. Chile is the
one of the UK's most important trading partners in Latin America,
with a total trade in goods and services worth £2.2 billion in
the four quarters to the end of Q3 2025. With the United
Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2024, we
became members of a bloc representing 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 opportunities
this agreement offers.
The relationship between our two nations is also shaped by a
shared understanding that economic growth goes hand in hand
with a focus on 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.
Chile's extraordinary range of natural resources and the United
Kingdom's expertise in mining and energy make us
natural partners. For instance, with the signing of two
agreements in January, the British Geological Survey
(BGS) established 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 cutting-edge information and technology, helping to
develop advanced methodologies for the sustainable exploration
and extraction of minerals, and attracting investment to the
sector.
Another of the most promising areas for
our collaboration is the development of the naval
shipbuilding industry. Chile's National Shipbuilding Policy
reflects genuine ambition, 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 innovation and bringing together universities,
industry, and government around a common purpose.
The Biobio region in Chile presents a remarkably similar
opportunity. As communities seek 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.
Scientific collaboration is another significant area of our
partnership - from astronomy to the protection of oceans and
the study of climate change. Furthermore, Chile's 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.
The start of a new government in Chile is a natural moment to
reflect on what this partnership represents and where
it can go. At its heart, it is a relationship between two nations
that believe in democracy, open economies and the role
of science.
The future of our relationship will continue to be built on these
foundations. My visit to Chile has only strengthened my
belief in the extraordinary potential of
the partnership between the United Kingdom and Chile,
and I reiterate my congratulations to the new administration.
