[rurban]

Much better: Aliexpress has zero shipping costs to Europe.

Compare that to shipping costs for Amazon from China. Chinese prices are usually 10x lower than European prices. E.g to make a good ebike you spend €250 on Aliexpress (€50 without battery), whilst in Europe you spend €2500 for a bad ebike.

Both Europe and China have spent tons into improved shipping infrastructure, eg. the new specialized Leipzig airport, Shenzhen, Shanghai.

That's the new Silk Road, not some ship or train lines, which need weeks. Shipping is also important of course. But land corridors are slow, insecure and limited.