"79.8% free. chile is the world's leading producer of copper. the export sector (e.g., minerals, wood, fruit, seafood, and wine) is the main engine of growth. chile has pursued generally sound economic policies for nearly three decades. higher energy prices and lagging consumer demand, however, slowed the economy in 2006. the coalition government of president michele bachelet, who is a socialist, remains largely committed to chile's successful free-market institutions, though her rhetoric emphasizes income equality over freedom. chile is a member of the asia–pacific economic cooperation forum and seeks increased commercial ties with asia. in addition to an important free trade agreement with the u.s., it has signed trade agreements with china, south korea, new zealand, singapore, brunei,"
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