One of the biggest business deals in recent times took place when Microsoft cracked a deal with Nokia to devour the mobile giant for 5.44 billion euro. American companies are well known for their invasive nature throughout the world. One major example can be the largest hamburger chain that serves fast food to about 68 million people every day in 119 countries.

As we all know, Nokia is a Finnish company and it has its headquarter in Espoo, Finland. Microsoft was not able to have any business deal with the company had it belonged to the list of countries that U.S. companies are banned from having any business with. Here is a list of countries which the U.S. government has limited or no trade with. The Office of Foreign Asset Controls of the Department of Treasury is responsible for providing appropriate information on sanctions regulation of these countries.

Syria, Iran and Lebanon

The United States government has had tense relation with certain Middle-Eastern nations. American companies are not allowed to have any business with Syria, Iran and Lebanon. Even though there are individual reasons why U.S. companies are forbidden from doing business in these countries, the primary reasons are human rights violations, nuclear threats and terrorism associated with these countries.

Cuba

The United States have had stressed relations with Cuba for more than half a century now. The U.S. government imposed a ban on Cuba in 1996 after the Cuban army shot down two civilian airplanes. American companies are not allowed to have any business relation with Cuba. However, there are exceptions like selling of medicine and food. The exceptions include travel and tourism. There are certain exceptions for religious organisations, journalists, academics and those visiting family.

Somalia, Libya and Sudan

American companies are also banned from doing business in these countries. The prohibition is based on threats like human rights violations and national security. Even though there are variation of goods which are forbidden, humanitarian co-operations like medicine and food are generally allowed.

North Korea

North Korea's aggressive approach, which includes the stimulation of the ballistic missile programme along with other military exercises, obliged the U.S. government to prohibit its companies from importing certain goods from the Asian country. There are certain goods like luxury products which are allowed to be exported to North Korea from the U.S. Any product which may possibly strengthen the nuclear or the military capabilities of North Korea is prohibited.