The main purpose of the opium trade between Britain and China was to balance trade between the two nations. In the 19th century, Britain faced a trade deficit with China, primarily due to high demand for Chinese tea, silk, and porcelain. To address this imbalance, British merchants began exporting opium from India to China, where it was highly addictive and generated significant profits. The trade not only worsened public health issues in China but also led to widespread social unrest. The resulting conflict contributed to the Opium Wars, ultimately forcing China to cede territory and further open its markets to foreign influence.