I don't play this game for the respect of others. Why would I care if someone I have never met respects me? It is nice to get along with people, and makes the game more enjoyable, but earning respect from random people around the world is not a priority.
I play this game for the reason I play any game, competition is fun. However competition on an unever playing field is much less enjoyable.
You say why not let them be, but I say why not level the field?
I think that trading MUST be a part of the economics, but it needs to be of similar importance to other economic factors, not an all-important economic factor.