Trade question

[John86]

Hello,
I am currently playing as India(marthas) and I am having trouble getting a trade partner. It is currently they year 1786 and I have not had a trade partner since the United Provinces canceled their agreement in 1706. Ever since then I have asked every nation for a trading agreement, given them gifts, offered technology and large payment ($10000+) etc... but the only thing they want are cities. Surely exchange of cities isn't the only way to get a trading partner?

[knoddy]

i had a similar problem with Marthras interestingly enough most of my agreements came from people coming to me. even tho they were indifferent most the time, i did get a few by offering alot of techs (3-4 techs for a trade agreement) so i dunno just keep trying i guess i cant get any1 to accept at the moment but i already have agreements with most majors

[anweRU]

I guess it is luck? As Marathas, I have trade agreements with all the major powers, except the Austrians and the Polish (and of course the Mughals). I managed to get all of them early on, by 1710 in fact. Some of them needed sweeteners, but the most I paid was about 1800 gp to the Prussians. Currently I am on the 26th or 27th turn.

[crpcarrot]

i guess the AI is coded to want to get a foothold into the riches of ida and subsequently requests provinces. just guessing here havent played an indian campaign that will probably be my 3rd one.

[Major Robert Dump]

Expand your empire and take lands adjacent to non-port countries and open land trade routes with them. If no one will trade then start blockading lanes, both land and sea.

Did you make anyone mad? Start a bunch of fights early in game? Do you have enough exports for anyone to bother trading with you? you may need to kick some people off the trade spots on in the indies, africa and south america.

[Polemists]

State gifts also help ease the diplomatic burdens of your aggressive empire's youth.

[Sheogorath]

The rapid expansion required by the Marathas campaign tends to make people hate you, initially at least. It can take a while to rebuild your rep once you finish taking over India.

My main problem thus far has been getting peace with the Portuguese. Bastards just wont accept a peace deal, although I suspect giving them Goa might pursued them...but there's no way that's going to happen.

I did have to pay high prices (in excess of 2000 Hindubucks) for some of my trade deals, and SOME people shot back ridiculous offers. Like the Italian States, who wanted me to pay 5000 Dharmadollars, give them Bengal and a bunch of technology.


What I DO find often tempts people is indefinite military access. You can offer it to folks who are far away (the Italians, for example) and it wont have any real effect, since the AI doesn't have a compulsive need to send units to wander around in your territory in ETW, even when it has access.