Steps to transform trades (6)
I believe the answer is:
treads
'steps' is the definition.
(I know this)
'transform trades' is the wordplay.
'transform' indicates anagramming the letters.
'trades' anagrammed gives 'TREADS'.
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for treads that I've seen before include "Puts the foot down" , "Sets the foot down." , "Stared at tyre surfaces" , "Steps, walks" , "mates" .)