Which European power established a robust trading network with Native Americans focused on fur trade?

France established a robust trading network with Native Americans, particularly focused on the fur trade. During the 17th and 18th centuries, French explorers and traders, such as Samuel de Champlain, forged strong relationships with various Indigenous tribes in North America, including the Huron and Algonquin peoples. These alliances were built on mutual benefit, as the French provided goods such as metal tools and weapons in exchange for valuable furs, particularly beaver pelts, which were in high demand in Europe for making hats and other luxury items.

The French approach to trade was characterized by a relatively cooperative relationship with Native Americans, in contrast to the more confrontational tactics that some other European powers might have employed. The French engaged in extensive fur trading, which became a cornerstone of their colonial economy in North America, mainly in regions such as Canada and the Great Lakes.

The other European powers involved in North America, such as Britain, Spain, and the Netherlands, had different focuses and methods. Britain was more focused on settling land and establishing agricultural economies, while Spain concentrated primarily on conquests and the extraction of precious metals. The Netherlands had a maritime commercial approach but were not as deeply involved in the fur trade with Indigenous populations as the French.