Final answer:
By around 1750, the global trade environment favored certain empires like Britain with its mercantilist policies and extensive colonies that provided and received goods, creating a favorable balance of trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
By circa 1750, the economic conditions in the global trade of commodities did indeed favor certain empires. The Qing dynasty's trade policies resulted in China enjoying a temporary favorable balance of trade. On the other end of the spectrum, European empires, particularly those like Britain, which had adopted mercantilist policies, were using their colonies for raw materials, thus fueling their industrial growth and achieving a favorable balance of trade.
Global trade was influenced by the mercantilist system where colonies supplied raw materials for their mother countries and bought manufactured goods in return, benefiting the colonial powers economically. This system enabled countries with extensive colonies and maritime prowess, such as Britain, to dominate global trade. At the same time, these economic practices spurred other European nations to establish their colonies and ports in various parts of the world, leading to increased competition for resources and global influence.