Why did the European merchants generally trade gold and silver for Chinese goods in ming china rather than trade manufactured goods of their own?

European merchants primarily traded gold and silver for Chinese goods during the Ming Dynasty because China had a highly developed economy with a strong demand for precious metals, which were not readily available in Europe. Additionally, Chinese goods, such as silk, tea, and porcelain, were highly sought after in Europe and often surpassed European manufactured goods in quality and desirability. The rigid trade restrictions imposed by the Chinese government also limited the types of goods that could be traded, further encouraging the exchange of bullion for Chinese commodities.