Chilean President Visits Port of Wilmington
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet paid a long-postponed visit to one of her nation's top export destinations, an official call at the Port of Wilmington that ended with private talks on terms aimed at keeping Delaware firmly tied to Chile's trade route.
Delaware State announced plans to renew its business relationship with the South American country. The President was welcomed by Governor Jack Markell, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, Congressman John Carney, and dozens of other state and local officials.
Delaware is a major entry point for shipments of Chilean fruit. "It has been a great opportunity for me to see how this important port operates, how the fruit, the quality of the Chilean fruit has is treated and will go to the super markets and then to the homes of many Americans," announced Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.
The Port of Wilmington is the nation’s leading hub for imported perishable cargo and fruit concentrates. It serves as the East Coast gateway for Chilean fruit and has handled shipments from the country since 1988.
Since a 2003 U.S.-Chile trade agreement virtually eliminated tariffs, trade between the two countries has increased to 25 billion dollars annually – a relationship President Bachelet calls mutually beneficial.
This is the first time a Chilean president has visited the port of Wilmington.