Opium--China had many products wanted by Britain but wanted nothing in return. Great Britain introduced opium to even the trade.
When Great Britain began trading directly with China they purchased tea, silk, porcelain, and other Chinese goods. However, China wanted nothing in return so Great Britain had to pay cash and never saw the cash return. Great Britain had access to opium in their Indian colony and introduced it to the Chinese people creating a demand for a British good in addition to an addiction crisis in China. This would result in the Opium War between China and Great Britain.
