Which of the following best characterizes European interest in Ming China's trade goods?

A. The French worked to develop trade in Chinese teas.

B. The English desired to acquire Chinese gunpowder.

C. The Portuguese had a growing interest in Chinese silk.

D. The Dutch had a strong demand for Chinese metalwork

The correct answer is C, The Portuguese had a growing interest in Chinese silk.

Explanation:

At the beginning of the modern era, China was part of the global trade system whose one of the main's features was the expansion of European trade. It had economic relations with the Dutch, the Spanish, and the Portuguese.

It bought silver from the Dutch and the Portuguese who bought it from Japan. The Portuguese bought silver from Japan because it wanted Chinese silk and the Chinese didn't have commercial interests in any Portuguese goods.

When the Spanish started to trade the American silver from Potosí (currently Bolivia) they surpassed the Portuguese silver trade with China.