What is "trading in silk" and how do I get it?

[Nerian]

I have seen mentioned that having 'trading in silk' will give you good bonuses to cultural tolerance, but I don't see it described anywhere. What is it and how do I get it? I am playing as the ottoman.

[Surimi]

Trade good bonuses are very powerful buffs which you get for controlling a significant market share of a particular trade good. To get "trading in silk", you need to control 20% of the trade in silk across the entire world, which means having a lot of trade power in regions that produce silk.

Most silk comes from the Indian, Chinese and Persian regions. The actual quantity of silk produced matters, so highly developed silk-producing provinces are better, but remember that it's trade share not production share that counts so centers of trade are the most important thing. You can check how close you are to achieving the bonus by using the leger and going to "trade" then "strategic goods".

[mss73055]

All provinces produce some type of trade ware. Seize or colonise a few with silks.

[Pozz]

Originally posted by mss73055:

All provinces produce some type of trade ware. Seize or colonise a few with silks.

Incorrect. This can make you the production leader.

Deep Hurting is correct, you need to control the most trade in trade regions with silk. Owning provinces that produce silk helps you by you being able to boost your trade with buildings, and the general production of silk in the trade region, but controling the centres of trade is much more important.

[Tayip]

solution: control everything in the regions. that will make sure.

anyway, go on the trade map and look for the centres of trade and the estuaries and target those provinces

[Nyatasha]

I'd imagine (as the ottoman) having Trade Ideas will allow you steer a significant amount of trade from china and persia towards yourself (Constantinople trade node) which I believe will allow you to "control" said trade good.

I'm not currently in any position to do any testing in regards to this specifically so I won't be of much help.
But I have had several games where I steered a lot of trade towards me and getting various trade good modifiers.
Of course it could also simply be the fact that I controlled a lot of trade in that one region and not the region in which the trade went to.

I wish you the best of luck!
However if you're looking for better Cultural Tolerence I'd recommend Humanist ideas.
http://www.eu4wiki.com/Culture#Accepted_cultures
This should explain in more detail what can be done to gain more.