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Let the two nations, between which the commercial treaty is made, be the
mother country and her colony, and Adam Smith, it is evident, admits,
that a mother country may be benefited by oppressing her colony.

Word:

Question:

How does Adam Smith justify the idea that a mother country could benefit from oppressing her colony in the context of a commercial treaty?

Answer (optional):

Adam Smith admits that a mother country may benefit from oppressing her colony, as stated in his discussion of commercial treaties where a nation binds itself to permit the entry or exemption of goods from one foreign country. He explains that the favoured country, or at least its merchants and manufacturers, enjoys a sort of monopoly in the country which is so indulgent to them, making it a more extensive and advantageous market for their goods. However, it is important to note that unless the monopoly of a foreign market is in the hands of an exclusive company, no more will be paid for commodities by foreign purchasers than by home purchasers. Therefore, the disadvantage of the treaty to the importing country would be that it binds her to purchase a commodity at a higher price than if she had bought it from another country.