The auction was the second major sale in Hong Kong since February, when the government removed duties on imported wines.
The prime minister responded by giving the president a bit of a lecture, remarking that Canada's stimulus package "actually removed duties on some imported goods".
A canny political operator, he also removed duties on newsprint, to keep editors on side, and excises on tiffin boxes (a sort of lunch box), to keep his wife happy.
Removing duty-free trolleys and bags of carry-on booze would also trim the weight of aircraft, thus helping to save fuel.
The argument goes that removing duty on "intermediate goods" - such as automotive parts and electronics that are used in the manufacturing of more specialised consumer goods - can now be imported on the cheap.
The Center for Science and Environment, an advocacy group in New Delhi, has called on the government to remove excise duties on buses and increase them on diesel cars.
It ordered the United States to "bring its measures into conformity" but rejected a suggestion by Japan that it order Washington to remove the duties immediately.
The EU has also shown its support for Ukraine by announcing it will temporarily remove customs duties on Ukrainian exports to the EU.
Brown also failed to remove stamp duty on shares, despite City pleas.
