Now, the former Commerce Under Secretary heads a trade council that favors doing business with America's enemies and runs interference for those determined to do so.

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If Mr Blair wants new female faces in his cabinet, an obvious choice is Patricia Hewitt , the energetic 52-year-old minister responsible for small business and e-commerce at the Department of Trade and Industry.

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However, BBC Radio 5 live reported in August that the business has been ordered to cease trading by Bahrain's trade and commerce ministry for allegedly violating regulations by operating outside its remit.

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Some resources to help drum up reliable partners and navigate local business rules include the Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service, which has trade offices in over 80 countries, and one of the 104 U.S. Chambers of Commerce in 91 countries.

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