> Yet they cannot refuse to do business with us...

I obviously know little about business and "trade", because this strikes me as odd. I mean, I get that it's contractual, but how could a well-written contract not anticipate a time when doing said business with you would be detrimental to the company forced to pay...

And, long term, such a situation hurts both parties, because if "this obligation becomes part of what kills them", the business on the receiving end also loses a customer.