U.S. Chamber Welcomes Chilean President Piñera to Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA), and the Chilean-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Chile) today hosted President Sebastián Piñera of Chile for an address on global trade and investment. During the event, Piñera spoke about ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, as well as the U.S.-Chile bilateral economic relationship. The Chamber’s Executive Vice President and COO David Chavern welcomed Piñera and his delegation, commending Chile’s global trade efforts.

“Chile is playing a critical role as a champion of open trade both multilaterally and through regional initiatives such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” Chavern said. “At the Chamber, we recognize that Chile’s leadership, together with key regional partners, is to thank for many new and positive economic opportunities in the Americas.”

Recently, Chile has helped to advance Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. As one of the original “Pacific Four” countries with whom the agreement originated, Chile invited the United States to the table in 2008. Eleven countries are now part of negotiations, with Japan soon to join as a twelfth partner.

“The rules-based global trading system is stuck, and a catalyst is needed to break it loose and allow the further progress that is critical to growth and development worldwide,” Chavern continued. “As the cross-regional, plurilateral standard-setting agreement for global trade, TPP can be that catalyst. The U.S. business community is grateful for Chile’s leadership on this front, and we want to continue to contribute and be a part of it.”

International trade and investment is a key component of the Chamber’s 2013 American Jobs and Growth Agenda, an ambitious plan to generate stronger economic growth, create jobs, and expand opportunity for all Americans.

The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation, representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 50 regional and policy experts and 23 country-specific business councils and initiatives. It also works closely with 116 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.