Panelists

• Charles Kimber, Senior Vice President, Celulosa Arauco y Constitución S.A.
• George Lasek, Chief Operating Officer, SMEC
• Rodrigo Yáñez, Vice Minister of Trade, Chilean General Directorate of International Economic Relations
• Andrés Varas, Executive Director, APEC CEO Summit (moderator)

As Chile prepares to host international foruns such as APEC and the COP25, the country has the opportunity to serve as both a pillar and a bridge for Asia-Pacific countries in an era of trade wars and protectionism, experts concurred during the second panel of AS/COA’s conference in Santiago. The panelists talked about disruptions in their various sectors and how progress in tecnology and improved know-how, as well as opening dialogue with all on sustainable growth, can advance trade and economic diversification in the country. “My main interest is not just to participate in a cocktail party,” said Charles Kimber when speaking about his engagement in APEC. “How do we take [business ideas and lessons learned] to other parts of the country? We have a huge responsibility, and this needs to be integrated in nearby communities,” he said. 

Keynote Remarks:

• Kimberly Breier, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. State Deptartment (Read her remarks.)

Panelists:

• Otaviano Canuto, Principal, Center for Macroeconomics and Development
• Eric Farnsworth, Vice President, Americas Society/Council of the Americas
• Shanthi Kalathil, Senior Director, International Forum for Democratic Studies, National Endowment for Democracy
• Martin Maciak, Head of Asia Origination and RMB Internationalization, Americas, HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.
• Christopher Walker, Vice President for Studies and Analysis, National Endowment for Democracy
• Brian Winter, Vice President, Americas Society/Council of the Americas, and Editor-in-Chief, Americas Quarterly (moderator)

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Kimberly Breier opened a discussion on China and Latin America in Washington, DC to launch Americas Quarterly's new issue on the topic. Breier urged the Western Hemisphere to hold Chinese influence and investment in the region accountable, saying all economic actors in the region should “adhere to the highest standards for transparency, anti-corruption, debt sustainability, labor rights, environmental protection, and concern for local communities.”

After her remarks, experts on the Sino-Latin American relationship discussed what has changed in the relationship in the years, how the autoritarian Chinese state’s form of government affects its investment in the region, and the region’s options when trading with the Asian economy, as well as with the United States.