The obstacles facing U.S. companies that sell abroad are nowhere more sharply limned than at the Caterpillar Tractor headquarters in Peoria, 111. Once the unchallenged leader in the manufacture of heavy-construction equipment, Caterpillar has been staggered by shrinking foreign markets and fierce competition. In 1982 and 1983 it lost a total of $525 million, and the number of employees in the U.S. assigned to the export business has fallen from 31,000 to 16,000. During 1984's first three months, it lost an additional $109 million. To stem its losses, the company has been forced...
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