ok, most of this is before i even researched xeno ethics, so i didn't have an alignment yet. i didn't research trade yet either. i got tired of evryone always attacking me, so i used the money cheat. it takes about 5000bc every 10 turns or they start getting angry. the only way i have been able to keep them at bay is by throwing rediculous money at them or by haveing a superior military.
i found out that trade actually matters when the arcean were that last ones to declare war and they only did it because their trading partner declared war on me. even after i get an alignment, it doesn't seem to matter much. i have about half of the galaxy and the altarians have been fighting with me since the begining.