Final answer:
The Mughal Empire's trade policies in the 17th century, such as the increased taxes on English trade, led to conflicts with the British East India Company and challenged Mughal commercial dominance, contributing to their economic decline and creating opportunities for European powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
One major effect of the Mughal Empire's trade policies in the 17th century was the increasing challenge to their commercial dominance, leading to the decline of their control over trade routes and ports. This was exacerbated by the aggressive tax policies of the Mughal authorities on foreign traders, such as the 1685 tax increase on English trade in Bengal, which sparked conflicts with the British East India Company. The Company's refusal to pay the increased taxes and their subsequent actions, including blockades of Mughal ports, undermined the empire's economic base. Furthermore, the Mughal Empire's policies led to an environment where European powers found opportunities to establish their own trading companies and exert influence, eventually overshadowing the Mughal trading dominance.