It has told foreigners that they could unwittingly put themselves on the wrong side of American law by dealing with Guard-owned enterprises or subsidiaries.

ECONOMIST: Sanctions on Iran

Some of the biggest trade rows in recent years for example, over the China National Offshore Oil Corporation's attempt to buy America's Unocal in 2005, and over Dubai Ports' purchase of several American ports have involved state-owned enterprises.

ECONOMIST: The visible hand

Women-owned firms are enjoying growth rates that exceed all but the largest U.S. corporations and these women-owned businesses account for 29% of all enterprises, according to The State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, a report commissioned by American Express OPEN.

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