Given that traditional U.S. firms such as IBM have more than 70% of their employees and almost two-thirds of their revenues come from outside the United States, what is an appropriate definition of a “U.S. firm”? Discuss one or more of the following points:

1) What makes a firm “American?”

2) What are the repercussions if an American firm is legally allowed to avoid paying corporate taxes by keeping its profits outside the U.S. in offshore accounts?

3) Should a firm be obligated to follow American laws with regards to environmental standards, labor laws, factory health and building codes, etc. when they have overseas operations?

4) What, if any external industry or country factors might influence your argument?