Chile's Foreign Minister, Alberto Van Klaveren, emphasized the country's desire to remain neutral amid escalating tensions between the United States and China. He stated that Chile should not be seen as a battleground for competing global powers, especially following concerns raised by the U.S. over a proposed fiber optic submarine cable project linking China to Chile. Van Klaveren highlighted that the discussions surrounding this project have drawn scrutiny from Washington, particularly regarding national security and information protection.

In response to U.S. criticism, particularly from Ambassador Brandon Judd questioning Chile's ability to safeguard sensitive information, Van Klaveren reassured that Chile's security and sovereignty are not compromised. He firmly rejected the notion that Chile is involved in any geopolitical disputes and criticized U.S. interventionism and sanctions placed on three Chilean government officials, underscoring a call for respect of Chile's autonomy in its foreign relations.

The diplomatic friction prompts significant implications for bilateral relations and could affect future engagement between Chile and the U.S., especially as Chile continues to pursue partnerships with different global powers, including China. The outcome of these discussions and the fate of the fiber optic project may reflect broader geopolitical dynamics in the region and inform Chile's foreign policy direction moving forward.