The statement that best investigates the origin of the transatlantic trade network is:
The transatlantic trade network originated with the growth of mercantilism and the need to transport goods across the Atlantic Ocean.
This response effectively captures the economic drivers that led to the establishment of the trade network, including the exchange of goods and the transportation of enslaved individuals to meet labor demands in the colonies. While other responses touch on relevant themes, the mercantilist aspect is central to understanding the network's origins.