The correct option is D.
Italy did not bother to take part in the exploration of new trade routes because, it was already in control of major routes to the East.
Trading with long distanced countries was the principal way through which exchange of goods occur among the civilized countries in the time past. To get their goods across to these countries, traders had to follow a particular trade route that lead to the country they are going. Then, countries are always on the move to find out new trade routes in order to boost trading with other countries and improve their economic status.