The news: Mercado Libre, the Argentinian ecommerce empire, says it will invest billions of dollars into its Brazilian business in 2023. Much of that investment will go to Mercado Pago, its fintech business, which has been increasing its reach in financial services.
The situation: Sky-high tariffs on goods from China and the end of de minimis shipments from China and Hong Kong pose a fundamental threat to ecommerce giants like Shein and Temu, as well as countless sellers relying on Amazon and other marketplaces. The new duties are already triggering major changes.