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This is all really speculation. We base our assumptions on the way we act and what we observe. They could be completly different in their goals and tactics.
Trade relies on the individual ability of different cultures creating uniqe goods. Let's say one species is espically good at making musical instruments, and another is good at making music. In order for the process of music to work, one species would need to travel to the other.
America is one of the best economies on the planet. We still don't make chocolate as good as northern europeans (with the possible exception of ghirardelli, of course). Our great worth makes it difficult to produce cheap products like clothing or toys here. We have to outsource the work to asian and central American workers to go around labor and minimum wage laws.
A great amount of the American econemy is based on war and slavery. The same has been true of most of the great civilizations throughout history. It could be the same with another species (that are greedy and sell out their morals for cash).
What if an alien civilization has goals like converting us all to their religion? Or exchanging produce? What if they reproduce by infecting other species with a parasite that changes the other species into their own (see Star Trek:TNG Episode 92 "Identity Crisis")? Our best speculation is perhaps best left with science fiction writers. The possibilities are so vast that our guesses at placing limitations and understanding are meaningless. Until we make contact, we have no context.
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