Competition, war, and trade on the Iberian Far Eastern frontier: The Macao-Manila axis, 1580–1642

Trade between Manila and Macao in silks and other products in exchange for American Japanese silver had repercussions around the world. Commerce on the Macao-Manila route (1580–1642) represented a remarkable coming together of old adversaries to distribute luxury products throughout the Spanish and Portuguese empires. The present study examines Iberian competition, war, and trade with the Netherlands, England and the opening of China to European trade. Despite frequent attempts to keep Portuguese and Spanish imperial holdings separate, their merchants shared economic and strategic interests that surpassed imperial regulations. Attracted to wealth and the retention of imperial holdings, the merchants of the Macao-Manila trade route made the voyage a viable link between China and the Iberian Empire. This commerce connected not only the two Asian port cities, but it also linked their global imperial networks, opening the world to the riches of the Orient.