The Peruvian government is confident that there will be no change in its relations with Washington after Donald Trump's return to the White House, although it "takes note" very carefully of the tariff increases proposed by the Republican's advisors and aspires to maintain an "active neutrality" in the dispute between the US and China, Peruvian Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer explained to EFE.

During the first Trump administration (2017-2021), the minister recalled, trade with Peru skyrocketed. "We did well because we also cooperated in a number of other areas," such as the fight against drug trafficking, Schialer said in an interview with EFE during a brief visit to Madrid.

The relationship between Lima and Washington is “mutually beneficial” and “the new Trump era will not make any difference,” the minister said.

However, Schialer admitted that Peru is paying attention to proposals such as the one put forward by Mauricio Claver-Carone, former president of the IDB and Trump advisor, to impose a 60% tariff on imported products from Chancay, a megaport with Chinese capital, with an investment of some 3.4 billion dollars, which will become the largest port in Latin America.

“We take note, but we take it with serenity,” added Schialer. It is not just about the port of Chancay, but a “productive logistics hub,” he explained, which extends for 80 kilometers and includes the port of Callao – the most important in Peru, which has capital from Dubai, among others – and the international airport of Lima.

"We have taken note, but we have taken it calmly," added Schialer. It is not just about the Chancay port, but a "productive logistics hub," he explained, which extends for 80 kilometers and includes the Callao port - the most important in Peru, which has capital from Dubai, among others - and the international airport in Lima.

"It is a bit complicated, that is why we have taken this very carefully, but also very carefully, because I do not believe that the United States wants to harm its investors," he said.

The tariff proposal on the Peruvian port is one of the examples of the trade battle between the United States and China, two important commercial partners of Peru.

Source larazon.pe