As Chilean and U.S. officials celebrated the June 6 signing of a free-trade accord between their two nations, green groups expressed doubt that the deal’s provisions—though in some instances novel—would contribute to environmental protection here. Underlying their pessimism is the agreement’s Chapter 19. Environmentalists say that while the chapter’s green provisions include some improvements over the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) and the U.S.-Jordan trade pact of 1980, they nevertheless disappoint largely because they do not compel Chile to raise its environmental standards. “There is no guarantee whatsoever in this agreement that our environment will be protected,” says Sara Larraín, president of Sustainable Chile, a leading green group here. “What’s needed is an upward harmonization of environmental standards. But because... [Log in to read more]