Some activist groups hope to use litigation against American companies to pursue their political and social objectives. The trial lawyers are all too happy to file lawsuits in an attempt to win big awards from international companies. Activists and trial lawyers are joining forces in a growing number of cases against international businesses, and when foreign governments join this alliance, it presents serious problems for U.S. companies attempting to remain competitive in a global marketplace. [Refers to Chevron lawsuit in Ecuador, apartheid reparations lawsuit in USA. Also refers to PetroEcuador, Texpet (now part of Chevron)]