I remain amused that you also called it ‘collusion’ when ARC initiated its suit against the FIO over failures to comply with the HFA.
Very simply, Kim, the Federation and State have continued trade relations, and corporations are doing business on both sides of the border. What’s more, I’ve made no representation as to what authority (if any) I believe the Federation has in this matter. What I’ve said is very simply this: the Federation has an interest in the welfare of its citizens. This doesn’t necessarily stop at the border.
This is much as the State has interest in its citizens, within the State, Federation, Empire, Republic, or anywhere else; likewise, the Empire, the Republic, and so on.
It’s really quite simple.