Cargo Security Plan Comes Under Fire

European shipping experts questioned a new U.S. security bill requiring all incoming shipping containers to be screened for explosives and other dangerous material.

Detractors point out that the United States already has a screening team in place at major world ports to check suspicious cargo. They also note that the new rules would benefit countries wealthy enough to afford the new screening technology, but would cut out other trade partners.

A European Union official went so far as to condemn the effort last Thursday, saying the new requirements would “disrupt trade without diminishing the terrorist threat,” according to Reuters.

Sources:

“U.S. security law could hit poor countries”
Reuters, August 5, 2007

Comments are closed.