Editorial. Threat: online trade from China

Beyond the usual footwear imports made by Latin American companies from Asian countries, a growing concern is the increasing flow of products sold online through Chinese platforms into the region. While traditional imports occur in bulk, these online transactions cater to single-unit or small-quantity purchases, fueling an exponential rise in logistics and parcel delivery activity.

In addition to highly competitive pricing, large volumes, and product diversity, these platforms gained traction during the pandemic, as Latin American consumers became accustomed to and more confident in digital purchases. As a result, Chinese platforms have rapidly achieved explosive growth in market penetration across Latin America, capturing a significant share in a relatively short time and emerging as serious competitors to local e-commerce giants.

Conversely, the surge in online sales from China has negatively impacted local industries, with the most direct and harmful effect being price competition—significantly lower due to production conditions in Asia. In response, countries such as Brazil and Mexico have implemented tariffs on these products, seeking to regulate international purchases and protect local economies. Argentina, on the other hand, adhering to its market‑liberal and open‑trade policies, has facilitated imports.

This scenario calls for coordinated action among governments to establish rational and fair control policies that protect both consumers and local industries, recognizing the challenge of competing with footwear produced under vastly different conditions and market dynamics.

The Editor

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