Britain's demand for tea is explained through trade involving South American silver. Manufactured goods sold into South America obtained silver, which travelled to Britain and was formed into bars. It then passed onward through the African and Indian route to pay for Chinese tea. In this account, East India Company fighting and opium exports sought to reduce the cost of sending silver to China. The example connects imperial conflict with the expense of a heavily demanded import.
Notable Point · 3:40:48-3:41:46
Tea, silver and the explanation for opium exports
The cost of importing tea is linked to a circuit of manufactured goods, silver and opium.