My first visit to Chile as a Minister at the British Foreign Office\u00a0brings\u00a0me to\u00a0Santiago for\u00a0the inauguration of President Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast\u00a0–\u00a0a ceremony of great democratic spirit, and an opportunity for me to\u00a0reflect\u00a0on\u00a0the relationship between our nations: one that is\u00a0founded on shared values, but, crucially, that looks\u00a0towards the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Our relationship is built on\u00a0a foundation of mutually\u00a0open economies\u00a0–\u00a0with a\u00a0shared\u00a0focus on economic growth.\u00a0Chile is the one of the UK\u2019s most important trading partners in Latin America, with a total trade in goods and services worth \u00a32.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2025. With the United Kingdom\u2019s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2024, we became members of a bloc\u00a0representing\u00a015% of global GDP, of which Chile has been a part since 2023. Together, we are well placed to make the most of the trading\u00a0opportunities this agreement offers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The relationship between our two nations is also shaped by a shared understanding that economic growth goes hand in hand with\u00a0a focus on\u00a0environmental 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chile\u2019s extraordinary range of natural resources and the United Kingdom\u2019s\u00a0expertise\u00a0in mining and energy make us natural partners. For instance, with the signing of two agreements in January, the British Geological Survey (BGS)\u00a0established\u00a0new 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\u00a0cutting-edge\u00a0information and technology, helping to develop advanced methodologies for the sustainable exploration and extraction of minerals, and attracting investment to the sector.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another of the\u00a0most promising areas\u00a0for our\u00a0collaboration is the development of the naval shipbuilding industry. Chile\u2019s National Shipbuilding Policy reflects genuine\u00a0ambition,\u00a0and 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\u00a0innovation\u00a0and bringing together universities, industry, and government around a common purpose.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Biobio region in Chile presents a remarkably similar opportunity. As communities\u00a0seek\u00a0to 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scientific collaboration\u00a0is another significant area of our partnership –\u00a0from astronomy to the protection of oceans and the study of climate change. Furthermore, Chile\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The start of a new government in Chile is a natural moment to reflect on what this partnership\u00a0represents\u00a0and where it can go. At its heart, it is a relationship between two nations that believe in democracy, open\u00a0economies\u00a0and the role of science.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The future of our relationship will continue to be built on these foundations. My visit to Chile\u00a0has only\u00a0strengthened my belief in\u00a0the extraordinary potential of the\u00a0partnership\u00a0between the United Kingdom and Chile, and I reiterate my congratulations to the new administration.<\/p>\n
Further information<\/p>\n