MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK reaffirms longstanding relation with Chile and continued partnership for the future

Chilean president Kast with UK Foreign Office minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Chris Elmore

The United Kingdom reaffirmed its intention to deepen its relationship with Chile across trade, critical minerals, energy, shipbuilding and scientific cooperation, according to a statement released by the UK Foreign Office following the inauguration of President José Antonio Kast in Santiago.

The British delegation to the March 11 ceremony was led by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Latin America and the Caribbean, Chris Elmore, who said the start of a new administration in Chile offers an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties.

In the statement, the Foreign Office said the relationship between both countries is “founded on shared values” and increasingly focused on future cooperation in key strategic sectors.

Chile remains one of the United Kingdom’s main trading partners in Latin America, with total bilateral trade in goods and services reaching £2.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2025. Both countries are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which the UK joined in 2024, a bloc representing around 15% of global GDP.

The statement highlighted that economic cooperation is aligned with sustainability goals, including joint work on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in the critical minerals sector, considered essential for the global energy transition, as well as the development of clean energy sources.

In January, the British Geological Survey (BGS) signed cooperation agreements with Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) and the National Lithium and Salt Flats Institute (InLiSa). According to the Foreign Office, these agreements aim to promote the exchange of technology and expertise, support sustainable mineral exploration and extraction, and attract investment into the sector.

Shipbuilding was also identified as a potential area for expanded collaboration. The Foreign Office noted that Chile’s National Shipbuilding Policy presents opportunities for cooperation, drawing on UK experience in revitalising coastal economies through industrial investment, particularly in Scotland.

The Biobío region was cited as a possible hub for such development, as Chile seeks to diversify and modernise its industrial base.

Scientific cooperation remains a central pillar of the bilateral relationship, including joint work in astronomy, ocean protection and climate research. Chile’s geographic position as a gateway to Antarctica was also highlighted as strategically significant.

The statement noted that collaboration between the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) has longstanding roots, combining scientific research with broader strategic interests related to the protection of Antarctica.

“The United Kingdom and Chile share a commitment to democracy, open economies and the role of science,” the Foreign Office said, adding that the new political cycle in Chile offers scope to further develop the partnership.