Final answer:
The fastest way for a foreign firm to enter the U.S. market is typically through an acquisition, where the foreign company buys an established U.S. firm to quickly gain market access.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fastest way for a foreign firm to enter the U.S. market may be to acquire the operations of a U.S. company. An acquisition happens when one firm purchases another and the two previously separate entities operate under common ownership. This can be a swift entry strategy as the acquiring company can gain immediate access to the established infrastructure, customer base, and market presence of the U.S. firm. While a merger is also an option, where two firms of similar sizes combine to become a larger single entity, acquisitions can be more straightforward and faster ways to gain market entry, especially if speed is a primary concern.