SalmonChile is petitioning the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to include Chilean salmon in “Annex A,” a category that exempts imports from tariffs when no equivalent domestic substitutes exist. The industry argues that potential tariffs of up to 12.5% would harm U.S. consumers rather than protect domestic producers, as Chilean farmed salmon does not compete directly with seasonal U.S. wild-caught salmon.
SalmonChile Petitions USTR for Annex A Exemption
Patricio Melero, president of SalmonChile, recently met with USTR officials in Washington D.C. to present technical arguments against the imposition of new tariffs on Chilean salmon. These potential levies are being evaluated under a Section 301 investigation of the Trade Act of 1974, a tool the U.S. government uses to address unfair trade practices.
Melero’s formal request focuses on the “Annex A” designation. According to SalmonChile, this category is reserved for imported products that lack equivalent substitutes in the American market. By securing this status, Chilean salmon would be excluded from new gravámenes (taxes) that the U.S. is considering.
Market Distinction: Farmed vs. Wild-Caught Salmon
A central pillar of the industry’s argument is the lack of direct competition between Chilean imports and U.S. production. SalmonChile asserts that domestic U.S. salmon primarily consists of wild-caught fish from Alaska. Because wild salmon is a seasonal, niche product, it cannot meet the year-round, high-volume demand that Chilean farmed salmon supplies to the U.S. market.
The trade group warns that a 12.5% tariff wouldn’t provide “effective protection” to the U.S. industry. Instead, they claim the cost would be passed directly to consumers, increasing the price of a primary source of high-quality protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Economic Impact and Bilateral Trade Ties
The economic relationship between the two nations extends beyond simple import-export figures. Salmon is currently Chile’s primary non-mining export. In 2025, shipments to the U.S. market reached US$2.598 million, according to SalmonChile data.
The industry’s footprint in the U.S. includes more than 1,200 direct jobs in distribution and processing centers located in Florida, Texas, and New York. Furthermore, the Chilean aquaculture sector—concentrated in the regions of La Araucanía, Los Lagos, Aysén, and Magallanes—acts as a significant buyer of U.S.-made biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and specialized technical inputs.
- 2025 Export Value: US$2.598 million
- U.S. Jobs Supported: 1,200+ (Directly in FL, TX, NY)
- Proposed Tariff Rate: Up to 12.5%
- Primary U.S. Competitor: Alaskan wild-caught salmon (Seasonal)
Future Outlook for U.S.-Chile Trade
Following the Washington D.C. hearings, Patricio Melero expressed a positive outlook, stating that USTR authorities now have a better understanding of how Chilean salmon supports U.S. nutritional guidelines and food security. The final decision by the USTR will determine whether the technical evidence provided by SalmonChile is sufficient to grant the Annex A exemption and maintain current commercial conditions.