Chile-China Express: Ex-Ambassador Heine on US Sanctions & Foreign Policy Shift OR US Sanctions & Chile’s China Policy: Jorge Heine’s Analysis OR Chile-China Ties: Former Ambassador Warns Against US Pressure
Santiago, Chile – A diplomatic dispute is brewing between Chile and the United States following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Chilean officials over a proposed fiber optic cable project linking Valparaíso to Hong Kong. The initiative, intended to enhance Chile’s digital connectivity with Asia, has drawn sharp criticism from the U.S., prompting concerns about potential geopolitical implications and Chile’s foreign policy direction.
Jorge Heine, a former Chilean ambassador to China who served during the second administration of Michelle Bachelet, described the sanctions as “insólito” – unusual – and criticized the manner in which they were applied. “It’s a situation that is unusual for several reasons,” Heine stated in an interview with CNN Chile. “First, there was a lack of tact in the approach. The sanction being applied isn’t for a public policy decision, but rather for studies being conducted, as the Chilean government hasn’t yet made a decision.”
The proposed cable, initially conceived in 2016 during a visit by Chilean authorities to China, saw a memorandum of understanding signed for a feasibility study. However, the project was ultimately shelved in 2019 under the administration of Sebastián Piñera. Despite its abandonment, the U.S. Sanctions have ignited a debate over Chile’s sovereignty and its ability to pursue independent economic and technological partnerships.
Heine emphasized the current limitations in connectivity between South America and Asia. “There is no submarine cable directly connecting South America to Asia, unlike the connection that exists with North America,” he explained. “Communications with Asia currently have to go through North America, which is lengthy, expensive, and cumbersome. This cable would be enormously beneficial to Chile.”
The former ambassador believes the U.S. Is motivated by a desire to maintain a “monopoly over Chile’s – and other countries’ – digital communications.” He argued that fostering competition among telecommunications providers is preferable to allowing a single entity to control vital infrastructure. “Why should we grant a monopoly to North American companies in digital communications? I believe it’s beneficial to have companies from other countries install their cables and compete with each other, allowing us to see who offers the best service,” Heine said.
The sanctions have also prompted criticism of the incoming Chilean government’s response. José Antonio Kast, the president-elect, is scheduled to attend the “Shield of America” summit in Miami, a gathering of regional leaders. Heine cautioned against allowing ideological considerations to dictate Chile’s foreign policy. “The worst thing the next government could do is conduct foreign policy based on its ideology rather than Chile’s interests,” he warned.
Heine pointed out Chile’s unique position as one of only six countries globally with free trade agreements with both China and the United States, describing it as an “exclusive club.” He stressed the importance of balancing relationships with both powers, questioning whether Chile should curtail trade with China to appease the U.S. “If it depended on the United States, should we stop selling copper to China? Should we stop selling cherries because the United States believes it’s inappropriate? I believe it’s important to balance national interests with the pressures we receive. Chile has done well at that until now,” he stated.
Heine advocated for a policy of “non-alignment,” prioritizing Chile’s interests above those of other nations. He also expressed concern that the Miami summit is intended to create an “anti-China front” among countries aligned with the Trump administration. “The notion that Chile can maintain the type of commercial and investment relationships it has with China while simultaneously joining global or hemispheric initiatives that are anti-China seems questionable to me,” he said.
The U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd, justified the sanctions, a position Heine dismissed as inappropriate in tone and substance. “The tone is not fitting, and in terms of content, issuing warnings to the Chilean government is really not the best way to proceed,” Heine said.
Heine further clarified that no final decision has been made by the Chilean government regarding the installation of the fiber optic cable. “There isn’t, nor is there yet, a final decision by the Chilean government regarding the installation of this fiber optic cable from Valparaíso to Hong Kong. There isn’t, period. Applying sanctions for a potential decision is very strange, very curious, and certainly unprecedented,” he asserted.
The former ambassador also criticized the incoming government’s initial silence on the matter, noting that despite repeated pronouncements about their future plans, they have remained conspicuously quiet regarding the U.S. Sanctions. He questioned the logic of attending the Miami summit without having first addressed the issue, suggesting it signaled a willingness to yield to U.S. Pressure. “One would think it should be the other way around – the cancellation of visas should be a reason *not* to attend the Miami summit, which adds even more concern about what will happen there,” Heine remarked.
Heine characterized the U.S. Actions as a “veiled warning” to the incoming Chilean government: “It’s very clear – ‘either you align and say and do exactly what we instruct you to do, or you will have problems.’ In that situation, one would have expected a more robust reaction from the authorities of the incoming government.”