question_answer

How could the Western merchants balance their trade with China?

Answer:

(i) The Western merchants could buy tea only by paying in silver coins or bullion.

(ii) It meant outflows of treasure from England, as it would deplete the wealth of the nation.

(iii) The merchants therefore looked for ways to stop this loss of silver.

(iv) They searched for a commodity they could sell in China, something they could persuade the Chinese to buy. So, opium was one such commodity.