Chile and the United States: convergences and divergences around the “copper problem”: 1951-1955

Abstract

Based on documents from the Historical Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and within the framework of the Western Hemisphere Defense Policy, we examine one aspect of the bilateral relations between Chile and the United States surrounding the “copper problem”. This relationship was marked by convergence and divergence depending on the fact that as soon as the Korean War broke out, the White House needed the cooperation of the whole hemisphere in terms of the provision of strategic raw materials, while Chile required a better price for its copper, foundation of its economic stability, arguments that were ultimately rejected by the State Department.