Using the SR 0520 version (current version) I have no trouble trading so long as there are resources available. If there are any to trade I usually can even get away with 1 to 1 trades. If there are none showing, in the top window as available of the type you want, it may be a good idea to scroll down to see if anyone else is having success getting any. If they aren't trust me, you won't get any either. Now red means you are not getting all you are asking for. This also does NOT neccessarily mean you are not getting any, although it may mean that as well. There may not be enough to meet the number of units you are asking for but a partial order may be filled, which you can verify by looking at the second page of your economic report in the ledger. After you have gone to war, you will get a vastly smaller amount than you asked for anyway, but before that happens you should be able to get some. Try to trade something of which there is plenty. If it continues to be a situation where you never get to trade anything, I would uninstall and reinstall a new download.