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Originally Posted by Aiwendil
I think that the tendency for jobs in commerce to be filled by Jews in European history, which Kuruharan has noted, may very well have had something to do with Tolkien's association of them with the Dwarves. Or maybe not; it's hard to read his mind. I don't think that this implies he was anti-semitic. Certainly, there's ample evidence that he was not anti-semitic.
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I think the issue is raised more by comparisions that use quotes such as "ever demanded a price for all that they did, whether with delight or with toil" as evidence than by historical context comparisons.
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Originally Posted by Mithadan
I am certain Tolkien never intended to imply that Dwarves were similar to Jews in connection with greed, which would be highly anti-semitic.
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And Mithadan says it perfectly here. In fact, I think Mithadan's post generally addresses the entire issue beautifully.
As for the origins of Dwarves and 'demanding a price,' it shouldn't be forgotten that their characterization draws heavily on Norse sagas, in which Dwarves weren't always the most pleasant or generous of characters. Durinn and Dvalin in the Hervarar saga, and Regin's scheming against Sigurd spring to mind.
On the original topic, a trading relationship would seem to develop most quickly between cultures with a similar level of technological achievement. The Dwarves had most in common with the Noldor, as the two most skilled groups in metal crafts, and I think it would be logical for a relationship of some kind to arise there first. They would have the most to offer each other.
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These things the Dwarves amended in return for the one great service that Men could offer. They were tamers of beasts and had learned the mastery of horses, and many were skilled and fearless riders.
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I'd place the emphasis on the phrase one great service. If trade is limited to one item, commerce might be expected to develop at a slower rate than if more types of goods and services were exchanged.
So theory portion A in particular makes quite a bit of sense.