Great Britain's opposition to re-export trade can be traced back to the Navigation Acts, a series of laws enacted in the 17th and 18th centuries to regulate trade between Great Britain and its colonies. The Navigation Acts were based on the principles of mercantilism, an economic system that sought to maximize the flow of precious metals into a country by regulating foreign trade and the acquisition of colonies.
Under the Navigation Acts, all trade between Great Britain and its colonies had to be conducted on British ships. This meant that goods imported into Great Britain from the colonies had to be shipped directly from the colony to Great Britain, and could not be re-exported to other countries. Similarly, goods exported from Great Britain to the colonies had to be shipped directly from Great Britain to the colony, and could not be re-exported to other countries.
The Navigation Acts had several objectives. First, they sought to ensure that Great Britain's colonies were a source of raw materials for British industry, and a market for British goods. By preventing the colonies from re-exporting goods, the Navigation Acts ensured that British merchants and manufacturers would benefit from the trade between Great Britain and its colonies.
Second, the Navigation Acts sought to strengthen Great Britain's naval power. By requiring that all trade between Great Britain and its colonies be conducted on British ships, the Navigation Acts helped to build up the British merchant marine and the Royal Navy. This was important for Great Britain's defense, as the merchant marine provided a pool of skilled sailors for the Royal Navy, and the Royal Navy was essential for protecting British trade and colonies around the world.
The Navigation Acts were controversial, and were resented by many colonists who felt that they were being denied the right to trade freely with other countries. However, the Navigation Acts remained in force until the late 18th century, when they were gradually relaxed as Great Britain adopted a more liberal trade policy.
