Final answer:
Merchant middlemen assume trading risks by taking ownership of the goods they trade, which is the true statement among the options provided. They differ from agent middlemen who work on commission and do not take title to goods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding merchant middlemen, the true statement is that they assume trading risks. Merchant middlemen not only buy and sell products but they also take ownership of the goods they trade. This differs from agent middlemen who act on behalf of manufacturers or producers without taking title to the goods, generally working on commission. By assuming the risks associated with owning the inventory, merchant middlemen are financially responsible for the merchandise and bear the consequences of any market price changes or demand fluctuations. Furthermore, merchant middlemen could be perceived as less controllable by manufacturers than agent middlemen, as they operate their own businesses and are focused on their own profit margins, not just representing the best interests of a manufacturer. This independence is an important aspect of the flexibility and risk that define merchant middlemen.