Naval dominance: Portugal invested heavily in naval power, building a fleet of advanced ships and becoming a dominant force in the Indian Ocean. This allowed them to patrol trade routes, protect their colonies, and deter competing European powers.
Diplomatic agreements: The Portuguese negotiated treaties and agreements with local rulers, granting them exclusive rights to trade spices and other goods. In exchange, they provided military protection and other benefits.
Establishing trade monopolies: The Portuguese sought to monopolize the spice trade by controlling the supply and prices. They imposed high tariffs and restrictions on trade with other European countries, making it difficult for them to compete.
Exploration and discovery: The Portuguese engaged in extensive exploration and discovery, seeking new routes to Asia and sources of spices. Their explorations led to the establishment of new trading networks and the discovery of new spices, further increasing their control over the spice trade.
Technological advancements: The Portuguese pioneered new navigation and shipbuilding technologies, allowing them to sail longer distances and explore new regions. This gave them a significant advantage over other European powers in accessing remote spice-producing regions.