How could the Western merchants balance their trade with China?
Answer:
- The Western merchants could buy tea only by paying in silver coins or bullion.
- It meant outflows of treasure from England, as it would deplete the wealth of the nation.
- The merchants therefore looked for ways to stop this loss of silver.
- They searched for a commodity they could sell in China, something they could persuade the Chinese to buy. So, opium was one such commodity.