It is the same on the other side of the Atlantic. US products are often more expensive in Europe. Most of my experience is from Sweden. Usually the cost increase is highest for US and Canadian and lower for UK products. With deduction for freight, toll and taxes, they can take an extra 50 percent or even more. Sometimes it is more reasonable like 10 - 15 percent.
I think the biggest problem is the national distributors. They often have exclusive rights of distribution in the import country and add 10, 20, 30, 50 percent for their own costs / profits. They may have some marketing and support costs etc. but on the main this system mainly seems to drive costs up. It may have been more functional in earlier years without the present flow of information, common knowledge of English and alternatives as internet shopping. The dealers seem to get the same rebates for native and imported components.
It is sometimes possible to make big saving by self import from US.
Btw, did you deduct the VAT on the English price, this is often included in European prices but deductable for countries outside EU, although you may have to pay taxes in your own country.
The patriotism in the system is that national products become more competitive by the distibutors additions.
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