The prices of securities issued by Chilean companies, including banks, are influenced to varying degrees by economic and market considerations in other countries. We cannot assure you that future developments in or affecting the Chilean economy, including consequences of economic difficulties in other markets, will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We are exposed to risks related to the weakness and volatility of the economic and political situation in Asia, the United States, Europe (including Spain, where Santander Spain, our controlling shareholder, is based), Brazil, Argentina and other nations. Although economic conditions in Europe and the United States may differ significantly from economic conditions in Chile, investors' reactions to developments in these other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Chilean issuers. In particular, investor perceptions of the risks associated with our securities may be affected by perception of risk conditions in Spain.
If these, or other nations' economic conditions deteriorate, the economy in Chile, as both a neighboring country and a trading partner, could also be affected and could experience slower growth than in recent years, with possible adverse impact on our borrowers and counterparties. If this were to occur, we would potentially need to increase our allowances for loan losses, thus affecting our financial results, our results of operations and the price of our securities. As of December 31, 2024, the Bank's foreign exposure, including counterparty risk in the derivative instruments' portfolio, was U.S.$2,679 million or 3.9% of our total assets. There can be no assurance that the effects of a global recession will not negatively impact growth, consumption, unemployment, investment and the price of exports in Chile.
Chile has considerable economic ties with China, the United States and Europe. In 2024, approximately 37% of Chile's exports went to China, mainly copper. A slowdown in economic activity in China may affect Chile's GDP and export growth as well as the price of copper, which is Chile's main export. Chile exported approximately 16% of total exports to the United States and 11% to Europe in 2024. Crises and political uncertainties in these economies could also have an adverse effect on Chile, the price of our securities or our business.
In February 2025, the newly elected U.S. government announced the imposition of trade tariffs on several of its trade partners, although some of these measures were later paused, as well as the imposition of a 10% tariff on all goods imported from China and a 25% tariff on all imports of steel and aluminum. The U.S. government has also threatened to impose tariffs on various countries in Latin America for various reasons including copper, Chile's main export. The imposition of tariffs by the U.S. could have a significant impact on international trade and supply chains, potentially resulting in lower growth globally. Growing protectionism and trade tensions, such as the tensions between the United States and China during the prior Trump administration, could aggravate, which could have a negative impact on the economies of the countries where we operate, and impact our operating results, financial condition and prospects.
Approximately 12% of Chile's exports in 2024 went to other Latin American nations. We cannot assure you that crises and political uncertainty in other Latin American countries will not have an adverse effect on Chile, the price of our securities or our business.