Mercantilism viewed trade as a zero$-$sum activity, which means that

Multiple Choice

every country that engages in international trade gains from that trade because as trade activity increases, the amount of goods traded increases.

there was nothing to be gained from international trade, so there was no reason to trade.

one country's gains in international trade come at the expense of other countries because there is only a certain amount of international trade that is available.

Once a country$$s trade is established, it cannot be increased or decreased.