How about an on screen timer for the timed Trade Guild missions that counts down? It would be very helpful.

I was thinking the same thing until I noticed the mission message that said something like "boy, you take a long time delivering cargo!"

At that point I realized I didn't need the timer, as the game lets me know when I took too long anyway.

although we'd like to know when we're running short on time before we actually run out of time.

How about having the timer start when you leave the station, or does it?

even a periodic update every 30sec would be nice in the mission screen. Though an actual clock counting down would be great.