Chile maintains this issue cannot be resolved at the technical level. This issue was raised by the U.S. at the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Group in October 1996. Chile's meat law bars U.S. beef imports because it does not recognize the USDA grade standards or the international high-quality beef definition. Chile grades meat on age, sex, and fat cover of the animal. Meat quality is not included in their standards.
Chile requires imports to have an equivalency grade standard.
Chile rejected it. Chile adamantly opposed this action and sought compensation through the U.S. courts. In 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Chilean appeal of lower courts rulings that the U.S. government could not be held liable for damages. Chile does not consider this issue closed and it remains a domestic political issue. There have been discussion between the countries over a long period of time and there are positive signs regarding U.S. apples and pears.