I think since you have neighbors you must at least form some diplomacy with them (don't attack me and I won't attack you). If you feel trade is your game then you have to get customers. I see this as a diplomacy game. I'll give you such and such for such and such. If the person doesn't wanna trade with you, you can offer them such and such for free... maybe a number of times till they feel like they owe you. If they are attacking you, you can offer goods for free as well till they stop. The question becomes if they never stop... what then... the ultimate form of diplomacy is saying stop... or Ill cause you some sort of harm.
This does not mean that you have to be the person harming them. Perhaps your favorite trade partner could do it for you. It just proves my point of it being a diplomacy game with war or... attacking if you will as the most advanced step in diplomacy.
Edited by Rasak - 17 Nov 2012 at 10:22