[rossdavidh]

France and Germany had a lot of trade in 1913. Russia and Ukraine had a lot of trade in 2013. Every civil war ever fought, was between sides that did a lot of "trade". The Opium War (no small conflict) was fought over trade policy. The U.S.A. and Canada/UK did a lot of trade prior to the War of 1812. Napoleon's invasion of Russia was done despite the fact that the two sides had a lot of trade. Trade has never been a very reliable deterrent to war.

To the extent that there is any relationship, it is that countries sometimes try to avoid depending on trade with someone they may end up at war with soon; the causality works the opposite way.

[hirvi74]

I did not know any of this, but rationally thinking it makes sense.

No need to trade any goods if said goods can be just be taken (assuming one's side wins).