A significant change in trade dynamics that occurred following the discovery of the New World was the emergence of the transatlantic trade network. The discovery initiated a surge in trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, leading to the Columbian Exchange and the exchange of goods, resources, and populations. European powers sought lucrative commodities like sugar, tobacco, and cotton from the Americas, resulting in the expansion of colonial economies and reliance on enslaved labor. This reshaping of trade patterns not only transformed international commerce but also had lasting impacts on social structures, economies, and cultural exchanges globally.