Would Portugal have an easier time penetrating some European markets than Britain, esp. catholic nations and/or those who have something against Britain for whatever reason (balance of power)?
I just want to make a quick interjection here for a new disclaimer; while this IOTL will focus a lot more on economic and market topics and they will be pivotal in some plot points, I do not claim to have perfect dominion over trade dynamics in any shape or form, only what you could call "a slightly educated guess". This is Alternate History, after all, and I do not want readers to think I utterly believe in the possibility of some of the events taking place in this thread's writing, especially regarding economics, in the same way I would not like to break your suspension of disbelief.
That being said, and more onto the quoted question, market history will play out differently, yes, and there's really no realistic way it could not have. As it stands the Portuguese Government is undergoing a mercantilism phase that is only natural in countries undergoing competitive difficulties. The only real tweak this thread adds is the massive artificial injection of 'capital of ideas' and 'ruthlessness' into Portugal as of 1755, but as the country develops competitive skill and human capital it will outgrow its IOTL version and will follow the natural course that is liberating its market and allowing market history to play out naturally, rather than forcefully.
What I mean to say is that there will be market history changes, but they won't be motivated by a certain character's stewardship but rather the natural forces of the commerce and the whims of the population, as well as I can replicate them in writing. As of now I am trying to improve ways to display this growth as I write the 1777-1782 phase, but I cannot guarantee full potential realization in what I write because, as my favorite philosophical line goes, "All I know is that I know nothing".