Chile - Mainland China Trade 2025 Q1: Surplus & Resource-Tech Exchange

Key Market Takeaways: Chile - Mainland China Trade

The bilateral trade relationship between Chile and Mainland China showed mixed growth with a strong surplus in Q1 2025.

• Economic Pulse: Chile posted a $4.74B trade surplus ($10.84B exports vs. $6.10B imports), though export growth turned negative mid-quarter.
• Exchange Structure: Chile - Mainland China trade statistics reveal a resource-for-tech model—Chile supplies ores (53% of exports) while importing machinery (18% of imports).
• Strategic Interdependence: Highly complementary economies, with China reliant on Chilean raw materials and Chile dependent on Chinese high-tech goods.

This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile-Mainland China Trade Trend in Q1 2025

Chile Export Performance: Shipments to Mainland China

• Total Volume: $10.84B in Q1 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY growth turned negative in February (-10.35%) and March (-6.62%), reversing January’s 25.06% expansion.
  • No specific trade news or policy shifts were reported to explain the downturn.
• Key Volatility: February saw a sharp MoM drop (-44.16%), the steepest decline in the quarter.

Chile Import Performance: Sourcing from Mainland China

• Total Volume: $6.10B in Q1 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY growth remained positive but decelerated from 33.0% in January to 23.07% in March.
• Key Volatility: January recorded the highest MoM jump (+11.78%), while February posted a -10.53% contraction.

Chile - Mainland China Trade Balance & Market Dynamics

• Net Position: Chile held a $4.74B trade surplus with Mainland China (Exports $10.84B > Imports $6.10B).
• Relationship Status: Chile maintains a strong net exporter role, though export growth faltered mid-quarter.

Chile Import Trend from Mainland China 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Chile Export Trend to Mainland China 2025 Q1 (Source: yTrade)**

Get Historical Chile Mainland China Trade Records

Chile-Mainland China Top Trading Products in Q1 2025

Chile Export Profile: What Does Chile Sell to Mainland China

• Top Commodity: Rank #1 export is HS 26 (Ores, slag, and ash) at 53.29% of total exports.
• Demand Driver: Mainland China uses these raw materials for industrial processing, particularly in steel and metal production.
• Concentration: Trade is highly concentrated, with HS 26 alone accounting for over half of exports.

Chile Import Profile: What Does Chile Buy from Mainland China

• Top Commodity: Rank #1 import is HS 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment) at 18.14% of total imports.
• Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, as these imports include high-tech components and machinery essential for Chile's industrial and consumer sectors.

Chile - Mainland China Trade Relationship Dynamics

• The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Chile exports raw materials (ores, agricultural products) and imports manufactured goods (machinery, electronics).
• Value Chain Position: Mainland China holds the higher value-add position, supplying advanced industrial and consumer goods, while Chile remains a key supplier of raw materials.

Import Analysis by Product: Mainland China to Chile (Source: yTrade)

Export Analysis by Product: Chile to Mainland China (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed Chile-Mainland China Trade HS Code Breakdown

Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations

Forecast for Chile-Mainland China Trade

The recent downturn in Chile’s exports to Mainland China signals potential headwinds, likely driven by softening industrial demand in China or inventory adjustments. However, the structural complementarity—Chile’s raw materials for China’s tech and machinery—remains intact. Expect Q2 2025 trade to stabilize but with muted growth, as China’s industrial recovery pace will dictate ore demand. Traders should prepare for volatility, particularly in HS 26 (ores), which dominates Chile’s export basket.

Strategic Moves for Traders & Policymakers

• Lock in Long-term Supply Contracts: Chilean mining firms should negotiate multi-year agreements with Chinese buyers to mitigate price swings and secure stable revenue streams.
• Diversify Export Markets: Reduce overreliance on China by accelerating trade talks with other Asian and OECD nations for ores and agricultural goods.
• Boost High-value Tech Imports: Chilean manufacturers must prioritize sourcing advanced machinery (HS 85) under preferential tariffs to upgrade domestic production capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Chile - Mainland China trade perform in 2025 Q1?

Chile exported $10.84B to Mainland China but saw YoY declines in February (-10.35%) and March (-6.62%), while imports grew at a slower pace (+23.07% in March).

What are the top exports from Chile to Mainland China?

HS 26 (Ores, slag, and ash) dominated, accounting for 53.29% of Chile’s exports, driven by Mainland China’s demand for industrial raw materials.

What does Chile import from Mainland China?

HS 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment) was the top import at 18.14%, reflecting Chile’s reliance on high-tech components from Mainland China.

What is the trade balance between Chile and Mainland China?

Chile maintained a $4.74B trade surplus with Mainland China, though export growth weakened mid-quarter.