Final answer:
The statement is false; the Brazilian competitors did not have the technological infrastructure to match Walmart's pricing when it came to Brazil. Brazil's computer industry was protected until 1990 but failed to become competitive globally, unlike certain East Asian countries that used subsidies and protectionism effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement in the question is false. When Walmart entered Brazil in the mid-1990s, the local competitors did not have the technological infrastructure to match its aggressive pricing policies. However, it's important to note that the Brazilian computer industry had a period of protectionism from the late 1970s to 1990, intending to establish a global presence. Despite the efforts, by mid-1980s, Brazil's computer industry was lagging behind world standards by three to five years for price and performance. After experiencing the drawbacks of protectionism without international competition, Brazil cut on two its infant industry policy for the computer industry. In contrast to Brazil, countries in East Asia like Japan, Korea, and Thailand supported certain industries with a mix of subsidies, protection from foreign competition, and government loans to help them become competitive globally.