As redes comerciais dos judeus portugueses geralmente são vistas como singularmente vastas, dinámicas e eficazes. Devido à sua base étnica e religiosa comum, os judeus portugueses e os cristãos novos teriam compartilhado laços de simpatia e solidariedade extraordinária que teriam beneficiado os seus negócios. No entanto há uma série de argumentos que põem em causa esta alegação, sugerindo, pelo contrário, que os judeus portugueses tiveram que enfrentar obstáculos maiores que os mercadores cristãos e que suas redes comerciais eram mais frágeis.

Les réseaux commerciaux des juifs portugais sont habituellement considérés comme étant particulièrement vastes, dynamiques et efficaces. Au fait de leur base ethnique et religieuse commune, les juifs portugais e les nouveaux chrétiens auraient partagés des liens de sympathie et de solidarité spécifiques qui auraient profité à leurs négoces. Néanmoins il y a de arguments qui contestent cette allégation et suggèrent, à l’inverse, que les juifs portugais durent vaincre des obstacles plus grands que les marchands chrétiens et que leurs réseaux commerciaux étaient plus fragiles.

The trade networks of the Portuguese Jews are usually considered to have been particularly extensive, dynamic and successful. Because of their common ethnic and religious background Portuguese Jews and New Christians are supposed to have shared a special commitment and solidarity towards each other benefiting their business. However, there are several arguments to challenge this assertion, indicating, on the contrary, that the Portuguese Jews had to overcome much greater impediments than the Christian merchants and that their trade networks were weaker.