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# Colonial Trade Pattern Distortion

## Definition

The artificial alteration of natural trade flows caused by monopoly restrictions, forcing goods through inefficient routes, creating round-about trade patterns, and preventing direct exchange between colonies and their most advantageous markets. These distortions reduce overall economic efficiency.

## Source Chapter

Book IV, Chapter 7

## Context

Smith uses trade pattern distortion as a key example of how monopoly policies create economic inefficiencies. He demonstrates that the forced re-routing of colonial products through British ports increases costs and reduces the value that could be created through more direct trade relationships.

## Economic Domain

Exchange

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