The central idea was to create "Smart borders" and, a bit like the Stars Wars system, to "push our zone of security outwards" in order to take "the pressure off of the physical borders" through "partnerships" with businesses and foreign governments by carrying out essential checks before shipped containers leave foreign ports.
U.S. Customs officials will analyse the advanced information under the "24-hour Rule" and "identify and target high-risk containers", then U.S. officials based in foreign ports will "screen high risk containers".
On 20 December, the European Commission instituted legal proceedings against Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. E.U. Transport Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, said that the plan was illegal and that it was the Commission's legal responsibility to negotiate trade and customs issues with non-E.U. states. U.S. Customs Commissioner, Robert Bonner, said the Commission's action was "regrettable".
Once the European Commission did not immediately fall into line the U.S. tactic was to pick off E.U. governments, one by one. Nor is there any "reciprocity", E.U. customs officials will have no right to similarly inspect containers leaving the USA for the E.U.
U.S. Customs officials will analyse the advanced information under the "24-hour Rule" and "identify and target high-risk containers", then U.S. officials based in foreign ports will "screen high risk containers".
On 20 December, the European Commission instituted legal proceedings against Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. E.U. Transport Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, said that the plan was illegal and that it was the Commission's legal responsibility to negotiate trade and customs issues with non-E.U. states. U.S. Customs Commissioner, Robert Bonner, said the Commission's action was "regrettable".
Once the European Commission did not immediately fall into line the U.S. tactic was to pick off E.U. governments, one by one. Nor is there any "reciprocity", E.U. customs officials will have no right to similarly inspect containers leaving the USA for the E.U.