haha -- We definitely don't want to WoW anything up. We like AA because it's a pretty greatcomplementto the themepark PvE MMOs. It's not one of them, and I don't think it should ever be one. It includes some of those elements, but those elements aren't the focus.
Trade is one of the sandboxy gameplay systems. Ties into the economic and crafting games, and PvP. Kind of like what some of us might recall as Caravans from other game ideas in the past. Creating stuff for trade, taking it from one place to the other (overland via walking, mules, carts, carriages, airships - Overseas via boats, merchant boats, etc), staying safe while doing so, getting rewards for it.
It sinks commodities generated by the crafting/farming game, provides PvP targets, and earns money. It's a skill of its own to raise. ("Commerce.").