Hands across the water

Establishing beachheads in new countries, acquiring businesses rather than building them, vying for access to trade blocs, corporations continue to seek growth through cross-border mergers. Adding fuel to the fire, the Asian crisis has spurred a new round of deals, as companies formerly resistant to overtures are now desperate for capital. Unlike the early 1990s, the number of non-US firms acquiring US ones now outweighs stateside players buying up companies around the globe. Look at the blockbuster