Intercompany debt, both long term and short term, arises frequently. In some cases, intercorporate borrowings may arise because one affiliate can borrow at a cheaper rate than others, and lending to other affiliates may reduce the overall cost of borrowing. In other cases, intercompany receivables/payables arise because of intercompany sales of goods or services or other types of intercompany transactions.
a. What major problem might arise with intercompany debt between a domestic parent and foreign subsidiary or between subsidiaries in different countries? How has Hershey Foods dealt with this problem?