Final answer:
The economy of the British North American colonies was impacted by Britain ending preferential tariffs through increased competition, disrupted trade networks, and the influx of cheap British goods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British North American colonies were impacted by Britain ending preferential tariffs in several ways. First, it opened up the colonies to competition from other European powers, which affected their ability to sell their raw materials at favorable prices. Second, it disrupted the trade network that had been established between the colonies and Britain, leading to economic instability. Third, without the protection of preferential tariffs, British merchants flooded the colonies with low-priced goods, which hurt American producers.