Nobody wants to trade!

**briny_norman** · April 03, 2009, 12:45 PM

As the title says, I'm playing The United Nations (the Dutch) and I'm trying to get people to trade with me.
But they won't!
No matter how well they like me or how big/small they are.
I've tried offering them loads of gold plus a selection of technologies and still they all refuse.

What does a fellow have to do to get some trade in this game...!?

**Naufragus di Scion** · April 03, 2009, 12:47 PM

You have to grease the wheels. Offer the country 15-20K credits with your trade request and they will agree.

**PlacidDragon** · April 03, 2009, 12:49 PM

hmm, i have not had any problems getting trade agreements with people, even countries that hate me, provided that they have trade routes available to them (and you also have available trade slots open)

If the country dislike or hate you, you might have to throw some gold into the mix, but i dont think i've ever paid more than a couple of thousand when trying to trade with a hostile nation.

**Musthavename** · April 03, 2009, 01:14 PM

It depends on the relative value of each of your trade.

If you say have a massive Indian Empire and LOTS of trade resources, people will expect a lot more money for a trade agreement, to balance out the fact you'll be making far more off the deal than they will.

If on the other hand you only have "Other Goods" everyone will accept pretty much unconditionally, as they'll be making more money than you will. You've got to remember that in previous games, you would get money on Exports, and then some money on Imports. Whereas in Empire, you get nothing for imports at all, it's all exports.

**pnokey** · April 03, 2009, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Musthavename

It depends on the relative value of each of your trade.

If you say have a massive Indian Empire and LOTS of trade resources, people will expect a lot more money for a trade agreement, to balance out the fact you'll be making far more off the deal than they will.

If on the other hand you only have "Other Goods" everyone will accept pretty much unconditionally, as they'll be making more money than you will. You've got to remember that in previous games, you would get money on Exports, and then some money on Imports. Whereas in Empire, you get nothing for imports at all, it's all exports.

Never thought of it that way. I guess that's a good reason to get trade relations set up early in the campaign.

**mikil100** · April 03, 2009, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Musthavename

It depends on the relative value of each of your trade.

If you say have a massive Indian Empire and LOTS of trade resources, people will expect a lot more money for a trade agreement, to balance out the fact you'll be making far more off the deal than they will.

If on the other hand you only have "Other Goods" everyone will accept pretty much unconditionally, as they'll be making more money than you will. You've got to remember that in previous games, you would get money on Exports, and then some money on Imports. Whereas in Empire, you get nothing for imports at all, it's all exports.

Where did you learn this? I think i've experienced similar situations but I'm not so sure CA would implement something like this..

**roy34543** · April 03, 2009, 01:18 PM

Yeah also the bigger your country is the more likely they will want to trade with it. but if your too late to the trading game they could run out of open ports.

**Davincee** · April 03, 2009, 01:18 PM

United Nations lol xD the United PROVINCES

you should try offering technology

**Musthavename** · April 03, 2009, 02:43 PM

Where did you learn this? I think i've experienced similar situations but I'm not so sure CA would implement something like this..

I didn't learn it from anywhere. It's just in my experience, I have to pay them more the more resources I have, and if the faction i'm trading with has some aswell I don't have to pay them as much. If I don't have any, most factions accept unconditionally, some, like the Ottomans or Marathras for example, will actually pay you for a trade agreement!

**fluffstalker** · April 03, 2009, 02:50 PM

Really, musthave? Maybe its just me, but for me its seems pretty random. Sometimes the AI, no matter how sweet the deal is for them (five techs, 4000 plus gold per turn and a region) will never trade with you, even if their indifferent. Then suddenly I have hostile nations agreeing to me for trade. And this is as France with a lot of South American and tobacco plantations under control.

**Gundug** · April 03, 2009, 04:06 PM

I offer unlimited military access and they seem to accept trade offers. Then I immediately cancel the access and the trade deal still stands.

**Agent Provocateur** · April 03, 2009, 05:07 PM

Really? Never had any real problems establishing trade routes with anyone except enemies...

**briny_norman** · April 05, 2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the advice!
Have not tried bribes of 15-20 k - that sounded way over the top, but I'll start saving for it...

**thefastfreddie** · April 05, 2009, 03:33 PM

Also try giving state gifts to help loosen hopeful trading partners up. I've found that the AI accepts much easiers terms and often with just plain trade agreements right after they recieve a state gift.

**ilikeicehockey** · April 05, 2009, 12:40 PM

100,000 usually does the job. Worked for me.

**ohnoesaz** · April 05, 2009, 12:45 PM

I can confirm.... Throwing in about $10K to a trade offer usually makes it work, unless its thrown at a bitter enemy of course.

Also I like how once you get a ton of trade routes going you start to see who your real enemies are when your routes start to be raided. You'll forget about all of your landlocked battles and start focusing on the sea very quickly....

**Ascarona** · April 05, 2009, 02:20 PM

...... What the hell?!?!
People why the heck do you throw money at diplomacy like that?? 100.000 = 50 1st rates = 3 navy stacks = serious threat to your coastal ports should they go to war with you!!!
The AI maybe incredibly stupid but they know how to spend their money!