Why Were the Portuguese Not Able to Maintain a Spice

question 16

Essay

Why were the Portuguese not able to maintain a spice monopoly or significant imperial holdings in Southeast Asia, given their initial success? Explain how they were displaced and succeeded by competing forces from Europe.​

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Definitions:

Trade Policy

Government regulations and strategies that determine how a country conducts trade with other nations, including tariffs, trade agreements, and import/export controls.

Import Tariffs

Taxes imposed by a government on goods brought into the country from abroad, often used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.

Import Tariffs

Taxes imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries to protect domestic industries from foreign competition or to generate revenue.

Comparative Advantage

The capacity of a person, business, or nation to manufacture a product or deliver a service with a smaller opportunity cost than that of their rivals.