Question

What did Britain do in an attempt to adjust the trade imbalance with China?

Answer 1

The British introduced opium use in China.

Explanation:

England imported tea from China which had become a national drink in England. England also wanted Chinese silk, porcelain and jade jewelry.

England had very little that China wanted. This created a trade imbalance, that was hurting English trade and wealth.

England had conquered India and Afganistan. In Afganistan and parts of India the opium poppy were grown. England imported opium to China and encouraged opioid addiction in the Chinese. This corrected the English trade imbalance opium for tea. However it created massive social problems and suffering in China.