Why did trade in the Indian Ocean initially run counter to mercantilism?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mercantilism was a system that aimed to create a favorable trade balance for European powers by exporting more than importing, thus generating a surplus of gold and silver. However, trade in the Indian Ocean initially ran counter to mercantilism because it produced a gold drain out of Europe, as Europeans were importing more goods from Asia than they were exporting. This trade was facilitated by the large amounts of silver flowing into Asia from the Americas, which allowed Asians to purchase European goods without having to export many of their own goods in return.

Why Did Trade in the Indian Ocean Initially Run Counter