The United States has proposed a 12.5% tariff on imports from Chile as part of a broader trade action targeting 60 economies over the enforcement of forced labour import prohibitions.
The proposal was issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) following a Section 301 investigation into whether trading partners prohibit and effectively enforce restrictions on goods produced with forced labour. The measure remains subject to public consultation before any final decision is made.
Chile is among 46 economies proposed for the higher 12.5% tariff rate. According to the USTR, those economies neither maintain nor have committed to implement import prohibitions meeting US standards.
If implemented, the tariff would apply broadly to Chilean exports to the United States, including salmon.
The United States is Chile’s largest salmon market, accounting for 40% of export value in 2025, equivalent to approximately $2.4 billion in sales.
The USTR has opened a public consultation period running until 6 July, with hearings scheduled for 7 July. A final determination is expected before current Section 122 tariffs expire later this summer.
The proposed Section 301 tariff is widely expected to replace, rather than be added to, the current 10% Section 122 tariff that was introduced after earlier US tariff measures were struck down by the Supreme Court in February.