Final answer:
a) True
Opium cultivated by the British East India Company in India and smuggled into China significantly contributed to the economic advantage of European countries and the United States by creating a lucrative market despite its illegality. This led to the Opium Wars and the eventual opening of China's ports to foreign trade, thereby enhancing European and American economic power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that opium produced in the Middle East or South Asia and exported to China contributed to the European and American economic advantage is true. Opium was grown in India by the British East India Company and was smuggled into China in exchange for silver, which was used to purchase Chinese goods like tea. The opium trade resulted in the Opium Wars, which led to China being forced to open all its ports to foreign trade, including the opium trade, thus ending China's traditional international system with China at its center. The British saw a considerable economic benefit from this, as did other European nations and the United States who participated in the trade.
Despite opium being illegal in China, the addictive nature of the drug led to widespread use and addiction, creating a lucrative market for British traders. This trade imbalance caused a significant shift in China's economy, from being silver-rich to experiencing depleting treasuries, contributing to the country's weakened state and enhancing European and American economic positions.