politics affects foreign trade
Lasting Effects. Works Cited. The economic, social, and political effects of the Opium Wars can still be seen today. The treaties of Nanking and Tientsin opened numerous ports in China, opening the country to foreign trade. The opening of ports and subsequent increase in trade allowed the tea and silk industries to flourish. Tea export increased by over 500% and silk export rose to 28 times the previous amount of bales being shipped.