Quote Originally Posted by Monsieur Alphonse View Post
You were trading with New Spain. That trade was lost when they joined you. You were also receiving tribute because were their protector. Usually the lost trade is compensated by your other trade partners but since it is possible that their trade is blocked or raided your total income can be less then before. You should also be aware that since you get an extra five or six regions your tax income is reduced because your administrative cost will increase.
Thank you for the advice! Administrative costs? O.k. - but then the richess of the New World made Spain rich or did I get my history classes wrong here? And since New Spain joined me voluntarily, why then lose trade and not get trade in addition? All very strange. I mean of course you are perfectly right with your assumptions, but then the logic of the game is that you lose when you gain.