What was An early economic system mercantilism was founded on what practice?

Mercantilism, an early economic system that flourished from the 16th to the 18th century, was founded on the practice of maximizing exports and minimizing imports to accumulate wealth, primarily in the form of gold and silver. It emphasized state intervention in the economy, promoting trade policies that favored national interests. Governments often established colonies to secure resources and markets, reinforcing the belief that a nation's power depended on its economic wealth.