Read the article (within the box with the same title) on Page 57 of our textbook.

What is your opinion on this matter? Do you think the domestic governments are a friend or a foe of the international marketer? (take one stand and argue your point; use examples to validate your opinion).

Government: Friend or Foe? National governments play dual roles-both helping and hindering businesses in their international expansion. In general, national leaders and lawmakers believe that trade is good for the econ- omy and that exports mean more jobs and a better chance of getting reelected. In the United States, governments at the local, state, and federal levels have various programs to encourage exports. These programs include market research, trade missions, trade-lead matching, as well as programs to identify partners in interna- tional markets. Many U.S. states and the U.S. Commercial Service have offices throughout the world to help U.S. businesses and promote U.S. products. On the other hand, governments also enact legislation to limit trade to protect consumers against certain products (genetically modified foods, for example), as well as to support specific ideas. U.S. presidents since 1962 have supported a continued embargo against Cuba because of the Communist regime in that country. Annual votes in the UN show that most other nations around the world do not support the 50-year-old embargo, and many other countries openly trade with Cuba. In recent years, travel restrictions have been lessened, and more U.S. products have been approved for export, including significant changes proposed by President Obama in late 2014. However, the embargo remains controversial both inside and outside of the United States. 10