Peru's new foreign minister eyes stronger US ties as Fujimori takes office

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Espá added that Peru was moving forward with plans to join the Shield of the Americas, a U.S.-backed initiative to combat transnational crime.

The foreign minister also said a bill to address forced labor has been submitted to the Peruvian Congress following Washington's recent decision to impose tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on products from 60 trading partners, including Peru, over alleged lax enforcement of forced labor prohibitions.

Nearly half of the Peruvian products exported to the U.S., which totaled $10.15 billion last year, would be affected by the new tariffs, according to data from the Peruvian government.

“We are confident that once this law is passed, we will be in a better position to engage with the United States and explore the possibility of a review of those tariffs,” Espá said.