Mercado Libre's founder, Marcos Galperin, replied firmly to Kirchnerist deputy Miguel Ángel Pichetto, who had once again raised the need to "heavily tax" Chinese platforms Shein and Temu.
"I'm not worried. We're going to compete with them in the same way we've competed with them, so far very successfully, in many other countries on the continent," Galperin wrote on X, downplaying the controversy but making his position clear.
The message was a direct response to Pichetto's comment, who had stated on the same social network: "I was the first to speak about the need to heavily tax products from Chinese platforms Shein and Temu. Now I see that many people are concerned, including Mr. Galperin from Mercado Libre."
The deputy also insisted that "Congress must work to regulate this platform economy and protect national industry and Argentine jobs." A recipe that has clearly failed all this time.
Far from joining the demand, Galperin reaffirmed his confidence in Mercado Libre's ability to compete without privileges or state protectionism, in line with his vision of an open and competitive market.
But the Kirchnerist deputy, who has never worked in the private sector, insisted by responding: "You'd better start worrying @marcos_galperin because the Chinese platforms are going to run you over. They're already impacting your business and the loss of jobs for those who work in shipment distribution."
The controversy over Chinese platforms
Everything began with statements from Juan Martín de la Serna, CEO of Mercado Libre Argentina, who had warned about an "uneven playing field" represented by Shein and Temu, as they operate under more lax regulatory frameworks.
