GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

Yesterday, the government announced measures that will take effect this Thursday, March 26, increasing gasoline prices at the pump by 34% and diesel prices by 70%. The stated objective is to prevent a short-term decline in fiscal revenues resulting from the reduction in the specific fuel tax unde...

A government in a hurry; an economy in a daze

CHILE · Report · 24 Mar 2026

Growth close to its potential rate and a nearly balanced current account suggest that the Chilean economy is operating broadly in equilibrium. GDP rose 2.5% in 2025, above the preliminary 2.3% growth indicated by the Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMACEC). The upside surprise was largely exp...

Kast’s Blast from the Past

CHILE · In Brief · 12 Mar 2026

José Antonio Kast has entered Chile’s presidential palace, becoming the first president since Carlos Ibañez del Camp, who left office in 1958, to make the Moneda palace the presidential residence. The move is meant to be a sign of austerity and offer the promise of hard work. Like much of Kast’s ...

The Chile-US Cable Spat

CHILE · In Brief · 24 Feb 2026

Chile-US relations were struck a firm blow last week when the United States revoked the visas of Chilean Transport and Telecommunications Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz and two other officials, accusing them of actions that could “compromise critical telecommunications infrastructure” and undermine r...

Monetary policy and the fiscal rule under strain

CHILE · Report · 17 Feb 2026

Activity continues sluggish. We therefore maintain our near-term interpretation of stable growth at close to potential, with a modest upside bias from improved sentiment. Business sentiment improved sharply in January 2026. But hard data released at the end of 2025 reinforces our cautious view. I...

Proceed with caution

CHILE · Report · 29 Jan 2026

The November Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMACEC) confirmed that strength in October did not mark the start of a new trend. The pullback was broad-based, with commerce the lone exception, posting only a marginal gain. Our baseline for 2026 assumes GDP growth at slightly above 2%, broadly i...

Kast's Cabinet

CHILE · In Brief · 22 Jan 2026

On Wednesday José Antonio Kast has presented his first cabinet. Clearly it is a team designed not so much with politics in mind, but aimed at meeting the short-term policy objectives that the president-elect has announced. Even though the ideological shift will be evident, the question is whether...

A rare equilibrium

CHILE · Report · 30 Dec 2025

With the monetary policy rate now at 4.5%, a level we consider broadly neutral, indicators point to an economy operating close to equilibrium. The main risks remain external, and recent data are consistent with this view. Beyond monthly volatility, activity appears to be at a stable but sluggish ...

Webinar replay - Chile election briefing: The next administration

CHILE · Report · 16 Dec 2025

After the election of Chile's next president, what do the results reveal about the electorate? Which goals will the incoming administration prioritize? What challenges are ahead for the president-elect? Watch the replay of the final installment of our Chile Election Briefing webinar series fea...

Kast wins

CHILE · In Brief · 15 Dec 2025

Many observers ask how it is that a country that six years ago was marching on the streets and four years ago elected a young leftist firebrand has now elected a conservative with a record of supporting the Pinochet dictatorship. One possible answer lies in the rejection of a highly unpopular and...

Upcoming webinar - Chile election briefing: The next administration

CHILE · Report · 12 Dec 2025

Date: 15 Dec 2025 Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time After the election of Chile's next president, what do the results reveal about the electorate? Which goals will the incoming administration prioritize? What challenges are ahead for the president-elect? Join us for the final installment of our ...

Soft data and hard politics

CHILE · Report · 25 Nov 2025

IMACEC volatility remains high, reinforcing the need to interpret monthly prints from a wider perspective. GDP results confirmed a soft third quarter. Mining disruptions were the main drag, but private consumption growth also moderated. Although the most recent data look stronger, we interpret it...

Chile's Economists: a first tentative dance

CHILE · In Brief · 18 Nov 2025

Some media outlets have reported that a group of economists who had supported Evelyn Matthei’s presidential campaign have already signed on to the Kast bandwagon. The reality is somewhat more tentative. However, talks are underway. A meeting was held on Tuesday morning between Kast’s economic adv...

Webinar replay - Chile election briefing: After the general elections

CHILE · Report · 18 Nov 2025

Were there any surprises in the results of Chile's congressional and presidential elections? Have Chilean voters become polarized? What challenges and opportunities do the presidential candidates face to consolidate support and appeal to voters? Will their strategies shift to the center? What are...

Election update: Kast in pole position for runoff

CHILE · In Brief · 17 Nov 2025

As expected, Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast will face each other in Chile’s runoff presidential election on 14 December. Less expected was Jara’s poor showing, winning just 26.8% of the vote, even less than the 30% support the Boric government tends to maintain. José Antonio Kast (24%), Joh...