Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO1
2009-01-02 11:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

Fifth Annual Meeting of U.S. - Chile Free Trade

Tags:  ECON EINV EFIN ETRD KIPR EFTA CI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #0001/01 0021102
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 021102Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4219
INFO RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000001 

STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR KATE DUCKWORTH
STATE FOR WHA/EPSC, EEB/TPP/BTA/EWH, EEB/TPP/MTA/IPC
TREASURY FOR SSENICH
COMMERCE FOR KMANN

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV EFIN ETRD KIPR EFTA CI

SUBJECT: Fifth Annual Meeting of U.S. - Chile Free Trade
Commission

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000001

STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR KATE DUCKWORTH
STATE FOR WHA/EPSC, EEB/TPP/BTA/EWH, EEB/TPP/MTA/IPC
TREASURY FOR SSENICH
COMMERCE FOR KMANN

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV EFIN ETRD KIPR EFTA CI

SUBJECT: Fifth Annual Meeting of U.S. - Chile Free Trade
Commission


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The fifth annual U.S.-Chile Free Trade Commission
(FTC) met December 12 in Santiago, Chile. The FTC discussed: 1)
the effects of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on trade
and investment between the two countries, 2) the FTA institutional
framework, 3) FTA implementation issues, 4) acceleration of tariff
elimination, 5) bilateral trade issues, and 6) information on other
bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. The FTC agreed to
hold a sixth session in December 2009. DIRECON Director for
Bilateral Economic Affairs Andres Rebolledo told the Ambassador
Chile was enthusiastic to take up work on the fourth pillar in
Pathways. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Chile's Direccion General de Relaciones Economicas
Internacionales (DIRECON) hosted the fifth annual FTC at the Chilean
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Santiago, on December 12.
DIRECON is formally part of the MFA, but is the equivalent of USTR.
DIRECON Director for Bilateral Economic Affairs Andres Rebolledo led
the Chilean delegation. Other key DIRECON participants included:
new Director for Multilateral Affairs Rodrigo Contreras, new
Director for Market Access Paulina Nazal, new Director for North
America Sandra Ramos, Director for IPR Carolina Belmar, Director for
Trade and Sustainable Development Edda Rossi, Special Advisor on
Labor Issues Pablo Lazo, Advisor on Technical Barriers to Trade
Carolina Ramirez, and Advisor for North America Ana Maria Saldias.
Other Chilean representatives included: Economic Counselor at the
Chilean Embassy in Washington D.C. Rolando Ortega and Director for
North America at ProChile Claudia Ibanez.


3. (U) The U.S. delegation was led by Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative for the Americas Everett Eissenstat and included the
Ambassador, USDA Representative Melinda Sallyards, USTR Brazil and
Southern Cone Director Kate Duckworth, USDOC Chile Desk Officer
Kristen Mann, Agricultural Attache, Agricultural Specialist,
Econoff, and Econ Specialist.


FTA Effects on Trade and Investment
--------------


4. (SBU) Andres Rebolledo opened the FTC with a report on trade
between Chile and the U.S. He said the U.S. remained Chile's
largest trade partner in 2008, although China was the primary export
destination and the EU was the primary import source. Trade between
the U.S. and Chile officially doubled between the entry into force
of the FTA and 2007.


5. (SBU) There were differences in the trade and investment data
reported by each side, likely due to different methodologies.
Because the meeting took place in Chile, it was agreed that Chile's
figures would be used in the joint statement. Rebolledo reported
bilateral trade in goods between January and September of 2008 was
valued at $15.2 billion, up 27% from the same period in 2007.
However, Chilean exports were down by 3% for the first nine months
of 2008, for the first time since the FTA went into force. Both
sides acknowledged that the decrease is likely due to the worldwide
economic crisis. Imports from the U.S. had risen 60% during the
same period. Chile had its first trade deficit with the U.S.


6. (SBU) Rebolledo stated trade in services between Chile and the
U.S. had increased by 13% to $2.6 billion in 2007 (latest figures
available). U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Chile decreased
by 21% over 2006, totaling $265.6 million in 2007. Rebolledo
expressed Chile's concern regarding the downward trend. He noted
the U.S. was the fifth largest destination for FDI from Chile (the
top four were all in Latin America).


7. (SBU) Eissenstat underlined the impact of the global financial
crisis and the current economic downturn in the U.S. He noted trade
could act as an engine of growth and diversification. Responding to
Chile's concern about U.S. FDI, both the U.S. and Chile agreed to
monitor trade and investment trends for the next FTC. Rebolledo
said Chile understood the pressures caused by the global crisis.
One of the GOC's priorities was to maintain its network of FTA's as
90% of Chile's products fell under the regulations of at least one
FTA.

FTA Institutional Framework
--------------


8. (SBU) Eissenstat highlighted that 2008 had been one of the most
active years to date under the U.S.-Chile FTA. The Working Group on
Agricultural Trade, Environment Affairs Council, Committee on Trade
in Goods, Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues, Committee

on Government Procurement, and Committee on Technical Barriers to
Trade (TBT) had all met during the year. Eissenstat stressed the
cooperation between both countries at a technical level was
extremely valuable. Rebolledo congratulated both countries on
successful resolution of the issue regarding table grapes (see para
21),and acceleration of tariff elimination (see paras 18 and 19).
The FTC agreed all committees should continue to meet in 2009 and a
sixth FTC should meet in December 2009.


9. (SBU) Pablo Lazo outlined progress under the Labor Chapter of the
FTA. He noted the U.S. and Chilean representatives to the Labor
Committee enjoyed excellent cooperation (including in other fora,
such as APEC). Rebolledo and Eissenstat noted that representatives
from the U.S. Department of Labor and Chile's Foreign Affairs
Ministry met in Geneva in June 2008 where both parties agreed to
defer consideration of another Labor Affairs Council meeting until

2009. The FTC agreed that a Secretary/Minister level meeting should
take place in 2009 (after the new U.S. Labor Secretary is in place).



10. (SBU) Edda Rossi provided a readout of progress made in the
Environmental Chapter of the FTA. The Environmental Affairs Council
met in April 2008. Both sides agreed: 1) to change the list of
joint-projects from those stipulated in the FTA, 2) to postpone a
third meeting of the Council until April 2009, and 3) to emphasize
the success of the Environmental Chapter as a model for other FTAs.
Eissenstat lauded the cooperation shown by the U.S. and Chile in the
work of the Environmental Affairs Council.

FTA Implementation: Advanced Rulings
--------------


11. (SBU) Rebolledo stated Chile planned to implement advanced
rulings in March 2009. Eissenstat expressed U.S. appreciation for
Chile's move to fully implement its FTA obligation. He said the
U.S. Trade Development Agency could continue to act as a resource if
needed.

FTA Implementation: Government Procurement
--------------


12. (SBU) On Government Procurement, Rebolledo noted Chile's desire
to move forward as soon as possible (in part because Chile's FTA
with Australia made reference to its obligations under the
U.S.-Chile FTA). The GOC had updated existing mechanisms and
created new ones to implement its FTA obligation. Eissenstat
explained the U.S. was also interested in seeing Chile accede to the
WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and would present a
non-paper in the future with some ideas. If it decided to accede,
Chile would be the first country in Latin America to do so.
Rebolledo responded that Chile would wait to see China's decision on
the issue. The GOC had already concluded agreements with 37 of the
40 existing members of WTO Agreement.


13. (U) At the end of the FTC, the U.S. and Chile agreed to several
modifications and rectifications of the Government Procurement Annex
(Annex 9.1) of the U.S. - Chile FTA, as provided for in Article 9.14
of the Government Procurement Chapter. The modifications and
rectifications reflect: 1) for Chile, changes in the political and
administrative structures of Chile's central and sub-central
government entities; and 2) for the United States, a change in the
name of the entity listed for the State of Oklahoma.


14. (U) The U.S. and Chile also executed an exchange of letters to
modify Section G of Annex 9.1 clarifying the threshold adjustment
process. Chile expressed interest in cooperation to assist its
private and public sector in understanding the U.S. government
procurement system and proposed holding a seminar in Santiago in

2009.

FTA Implementation: Intellectual Property
--------------


15. (SBU) Eissenstat raised the issue of Chile's implementation of
its intellectual property rights (IPR) obligations under the FTA.
During the last five years, Chile had made progress on some of its
commitments, such as the recent passage of the Patent Cooperation
Treaty. However, much more is required, and both sides noted that
the Special 301 process was due to start in the near future. The
U.S. was particularly concerned about better enforcement of data
protection and linkage as well as swift passage of pending
legislation on copyrights and IPR enforcement. Eissenstat proposed

an IPR Working Group to review implementation of FTA obligations.


16. (SBU) Rebolledo argued IPR was a sensitive issue in Chile, but
the GOC had made significant progress since it signed the FTA five
years ago. It was a priority for Chile, however, many more actors
were now involved, which was slowing down progress on
implementation. Rebolledo said three laws were pending before
Congress which would bring Chile closer to fulfilling its
commitments (a Copyright Law, an Illegal Commerce and Piracy Law,
and a Plant Variety Law). In addition, USTR and DIRECON maintained
good communication, conducting a number of video conferences on the
issue. Rebolledo said a Working Group was unnecessary. The
existing channel of communication was sufficient and the GOC did not
want to create more pressure over the issue than was necessary.


17. (SBU) Both sides agreed to continue constructive dialogue on
intellectual property. They resolved that in the first quarter of
2009, experts from both sides will meet to perform a thorough
technical review of the status of implementation of Chapter 17 on
IPR.

Accelerated Tariff Elimination
--------------


18. (SBU) During the FTC, the U.S. and Chile agreed to accelerate
elimination of tariffs on goods covering approximately $35 million
in annual trade. The tariff cuts will be implemented January 1,

2009. The items identified for accelerated tariff elimination were
selected based on requests by producers, consumers, and traders
eager to take advantage of the benefits of the FTA. The U.S. will
eliminate tariffs on products including spinach, sweet corn,
preserved artichokes and frozen vegetables. Chile will eliminate
tariffs on products including rice, peas, safety headgear, and
certain chemicals.


19. (SBU) Rebolledo underlined Chile would be interested in finding
other eligible products for future tariff elimination. The U.S.
said it would be open to hearing a proposal on future products and
suggested that the Committee on Trade in Goods explore the topic
further.

Rules of Origin
--------------


20. (SBU) Eissenstat noted the U.S. had received the report from the
U.S. International Trade Commission on the probable economic effects
of the proposed changes to the rules of origin on October 31, 2007
and the next step would be a submission of the proposed changes to
the U.S. Congress for a 60-day layover period. He said there is an
ongoing discussion between industries in both countries over some
concerns related to chocolate candy. Rebolledo said the GOC was
willing to move forward without a resolution on chocolate.

Bilateral Trade: Grapes and Citrus
--------------


21. (SBU) After thorough consultations under Article 3.17 of the
Agreement, the U.S. and Chile reached an agreement in November 2008
with respect to trade in table grapes.
Chile expressed its gratitude for the cooperative and mutually
beneficial trade relationship relating to the export of fresh fruit
to the United States, most recently the initiation of proposed rules
for systems approaches to address phytosanitary treatment of
oranges, grapefruit, and table grapes. On the latter, Chile asked
for the status of these proposed rules which appear to be on
schedule for finalization. USDA Representative Sallyards thought
rules might be ready by mid-2009 on table grapes, to be followed by
rules on citrus fruits.

Bilateral Trade: Beef
--------------


22. (SBU) The U.S. renewed its longstanding request for market
access for all ages of U.S. beef, beef products, and live cattle in
line with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines.
Chile explained that it is currently receiving public comment on
its internal rulemaking and expected to have news for the U.S. in
March 2009.


23. (SBU) The FTC agreed the competent USG and GOC authorities will
exchange letters regarding the mutual recognition of grading
programs for the purpose of marketing beef. Rebolledo proposed they

be signed at the ministerial level, which the U.S. delegation
accepted. The U.S. offered to send draft letters as quickly as
possible and Chile agreed.

Bilateral Trade: Raspberries
--------------


24. (SBU) Rebolledo noted the GOC was interested in forming a
committee in the U.S. to discuss expanding sales of raspberries.
Eissenstat promised to relay this request to Washington.

Bilateral Trade: Nitrates
--------------


25. (U) The Chilean delegation raised concerns regarding the new
regulation of the Department of Homeland Security affecting Chilean
nitrates (potassium and sodium) and reiterated its desire to be
excluded from Appendix A of this regulation. The U.S. took note of
Chile's concerns and expressed that in this case both sides will
continue to discuss at the Committee level and exchange
information.

Bilateral Trade: Customs Valuation
--------------


26. (SBU) Eissenstat raised U.S. concerns about systemic problems
with Chile's customs valuation obligations under the FTA. Rebolledo
suggested discussing the issue in detail in the Committee on Trade
in Goods in the first quarter of 2009. [Note. In a courtesy call
with Eissenstat before the FTC, Multilateral Director Contreras had
suggested this possible compromise to address U.S. concerns.] The
U.S. side could use this forum to provide Chile with information on
the U.S. container screening process. The U.S. delegation accepted
Chile's proposal.

Other Trade Negotiations
--------------


27. (SBU) Both parties exchanged information about their respective
bilateral negotiations, and their positions in the WTO, APEC,
Trans-Pacific Partnership and OECD.

Pathways to Prosperity
--------------


28. (SBU) In an aside with the Ambassador, Rebolledo stressed Chile
was enthusiastic about working on the trade pillar of Pathways. He
said it still required more definition as Chile was working through
similar issues in the Arco del Pacifico.


29. (U) This cable was cleared by USTR.
URBAN