Perhaps this is just me overintellectualizing again, but since Portugal and Spain pioneered both the 'colonization' (murder & theft) activities of 14th to 16th century and setting up of the 'trade' (theft & murder) route networks which are in many ways said to be the origins of todays interconnected global economy, it seems fitting that this is where the ripple starts. If this viewpoint is correct then it would stand to reason that, in no particular order, England, France and the Netherlands would be next on the list, so to speak.