GalCiv3 Forums
Hi guys,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with understanding how free trade agreements work ingame?
Are they mutual agreements that affect both parties?
Why can i have more than one with the same race?
Also is there anywhere i can see the effects of the agreement to confirm its effect on my economy?
Thx in advance.
Mem.
The effects of a Free Trade agreement are +5% to colony income and +5% to colony research.
They are bonuses given to the recipient, so if you offer a faction a free trade agreement, they will get the bonus, not you.
I'm not sure why you can have multiple, and I haven't checked to see if they stack to be honest, I'll have to try to remember to look sometime. 
Why would you voluntarily give the AI bonuses like that with no benefit to yourself?
So basically, if you research it first you have to give it to everyone to get the benefit. Same as Alliances - it needs both sides to have access to the tech before it can go anywhere...
You're right it's a bit screwy. They do place a value on it however so you can use it to trade for a tech, cash or something.
I trade those techs even to those I never wish to form an alliance. I really dont think the AI is smart enough right now, to band together in an alliance to try to stop you. I prefer to trade away things like trade and diplo techs, and NEVER give them research, pop, approval, or manufacturing techs. I always research all defenses, so I will trade away the defenses that dont counter "my frickin lasers".
I sell them the tech then later trade 1-1 (or better 
) so we both get the bonus. of course i do not do this with potential adversaries
I tend to hand over large tranches of techs to the AI at various points, just to try and make them remotely competitive.
Have you seen this work? I tried it several times and my relations never improved. maybe i did not give enough?
Oh, I don't do it for a relations boost, I do it just so they're able to build up. I regularly outpace the AI's tech level in the opening 50 turns or so, and then give it a ton of techs just so the game isn't completely one-sided.
Thx for the replies guys.
one more question i am unable to trade the tech required to the other civs. So i assume they have it, but i do not have the option to have them give me a freetrade deal.
I noticed that in my last game too 
It is happening in my current game right now. Iridium gave economic treaty tech to me as a gift. One turn later, I open up the diplomacy screen to make a deal, and find that I am able to offer them a free trade agreement, but I cannot choose to have them reciprocate-- it's not in their list of items. I think it's bugged pretty good.
When I offer them a free trade agreement, I also can't tell if I am actually losing 5% of my research and wealth and giving it to them, or if they just gain 5% from the "free markets" without me losing any.
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