Abstract: In the high Middle Ages, the accumulation of material in European society stimulated the exchange of goods, leading to disintegration of “Landlords-Peasants” structure and manor economy. After the “Black Death”, the social and economic structures of Europe had been adjusted, material accumulation and consumption levels recovered and increased, the market exchange had become normal, and the international market system got to optimize and reorganize. The Nordic Region had developed a geographical division which based on natural endowment, and established the content and operation ways of bulk commodities trade. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Hanseatics who were professional businessmen had bulk a trade empire, that eastern to Russia, western to Portugal, northern to Iceland, and southern to Italy, marked the forming of the Northern European Trade Area. Netherland Republic and England Kingdom created a kind of Port Distribution Trade that relied on a powerful national economy and replaced the transshipment trade of Hanseatic, and ultimately developed into modern trade powers. The close connection among economy, trade model and trade area is enlightening to China, which is actively seeking to transform from a manufacturing country to a productive power. Now we try to forge the national strategic brands and international strategies of “Belt and Road” that are both the effective attempts of participating in or dominating global trade.

Key words: Northern European trade area, economic and social structures, market system;bulk commodities trade, Hanseatic League