David Oliver_

Everyone Is Working Hard to Increase Global Trade Imbalances

I am always by how expensive many products are here in China. Not just imported products but many everyday products including foodstuffs (unless you go to the fruit & vege markets) also seem to cost more than they do back home. Import duties are one factor, another is VAT tax which can be up to 17%.

Lowering VAT would help stimulate consumption, however import duties for consumer products will probably not be lowered in any meaningful way. Even with a huge trade surplus I doubt if the government could bear to see people buying more "foreign" goods.