President Kast begins Asia tour in Vietnam with a focus on trade and business ties

Shortly before 00:30 on Sunday in Chile (10:30 in Vietnam), the plane carrying President José Antonio Kast landed at Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi, the first stop on his tour of Asia, which includes an official visit to the country and his subsequent participation in APEC-related activities in China. The President arrived accompanied by First Lady María Pía Adriasola, as well as ministers, parliamentarians, and representatives of the business world. After disembarking, Kast made no statements to the press. It was the president of the Confederation of Production and Commerce (CPC), Susana Jiménez, a member of the delegation, who addressed the objectives of the visit. The business leader focused on the possibilities of expanding business between the two countries and highlighted the size of the Vietnamese market, which has nearly one hundred million inhabitants. "I believe Vietnam is a market where there is still much to take advantage of and grow, and that is why this delegation is so important, both of public officials and legislators, but also the delegation of business associations," she said. Jiménez recalled that Chile maintains trade with Vietnam, mainly through the export of agribusiness products, salmon, and fruit, while various goods arrive from that country to the national market. In this context, she emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between the private sectors of both economies. "This is a market of 100 million people, so all products—not only those exported today, but others as well—have a lot of room to grow in this economy," she added. From the parliamentary sphere, Senator Renzo Trisotti (Republican), also a member of the delegation, linked the tour to the search for economic opportunities and job creation. The legislator highlighted that the agenda includes both the official visit to Vietnam and activities in China, as well as Chilean participation in the APEC forum. "China is our main trading partner, where the aim is to discuss and advance mining and agricultural issues. That is why we have even been working with the President during the trip," he commented. Asked about criticism of the presidential trip amid domestic economic difficulties and other controversies facing the government, the Republican legislator defended the tour and its commercial component. In his view, the meetings with authorities and representatives of both countries seek to create conditions to boost economic activity. "Precisely, the President's participation in these international forums is aimed at reversing the economic situation and generating employment," he responded. The senator was also asked about the visit to countries whose political systems are centered on communism, such as Vietnam and China. On this point, he dismissed the idea that ideological differences posed any difficulty for developing trade relations. "Trade relations must be with all countries, regardless of ideological matters," he stressed. President Kast in Vietnam Photo: Rocío Latorre Meetings with authorities and business agenda Kast's official agenda will be concentrated this Monday, November 16. The first activity will be the Vietnam-Chile business forum "Choose Chile" at the Meliá Hotel in Hanoi. The meeting will bring together authorities and business representatives from both countries, with remarks by Jiménez, Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna, and Vietnamese economic officials. The President will also deliver a speech. In the afternoon, the head of state will carry out two tributes: first, at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs, and later at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, located in Ba Đình Square. At 15:05 local time, he will be received with state honors by Vietnamese President Tô Lâm in a ceremony at the National Assembly. Ten minutes later, the two leaders will hold an expanded meeting with their respective delegations. The day will include a ceremony for the exchange of bilateral agreements and a joint statement to the press. Later, Kast will meet with the President of the National Assembly, Trần Thanh Mẫn, and will close the day with an official dinner hosted by Tô Lâm and his wife for the Chilean delegation. The delegation includes Foreign Minister Pérez Mackenna; the dual Minister of Economy and Mining, Daniel Mas; and the Minister of Agriculture, Jaime Campos. Also participating are senators Fidel Espinoza, Sebastián Keitel, Andrés Longton, Ximena Órdenes, and Renzo Trisotti, along with representatives from Corfo, Fundación Chile, and the national embassy in Vietnam. From the private sector, among others, traveled the secretary general of the National Agriculture Society, Juan Pablo Matte; the president of the National Mining Society, Jorge Riesco; the CEO of ChileCarne, Juan Carlos Domínguez; and the executive director of the Association of Entrepreneurs of Chile, Carmen Mena. The visit to Vietnam will conclude on Tuesday, November 17, when Kast is scheduled to depart from Nội Bài Airport for Shenzhen, China. There he will continue his Asian tour and participate in activities related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.