TRW. Inc., has three strategic alliance with large Japanese auto component suppliers to produce seat belts, engine valves, and steering gears for sale to Japanese-owned auto assembly plants in the United States. TRW has clauses in each of its alliance contracts that bar the Japanese firms from competing with TRW to supply U.S. owned auto companies are entering into the alliance merely to gain access to the North American market to compete with TRW in its home market.