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Europe
EU hits at US plan to scan containers
2007-08-03
A US plan to have all shipping containers scanned for security reasons would disrupt trade without diminishing the terrorist threat, the European Union said on Thursday.
Careful what you wish for, Dhimmicrats. The Dhimmi blogs have been hammering the Bush administration for a couple of years demanding that each and every container be inspected (by hand by a unionized 'port authority inspector', but we digress), and now it's going to happen. Guess what -- our trading partners aren't too happy about it.
In a strongly worded statement, ...
yoikes!
... László Kovács, the European customs commissioner, said the unilateral action would force Europe’s taxpayers to foot the bill for US security. Mr Kovács said: “Experts on both sides of the Atlantic have already considered this measure to be of no real benefit when it comes to improving security, while it would disrupt trade and cost legitimate EU and US businesses a lot of time and money.”

The US Congress passed the bill last week. US cargo importers have attacked the measure, warning that it threatens cargo systems with chaos.

While EU ports would suffer, Asia would be worse off. Giant hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong deal with tens of thousands of containers daily. While 1.8m 20ft-equivalent containers were sent from Europe to the US in 2006, according to London-based Drewry Shipping Consultants, there were 13.7m from Asia.

Mr Kovács said the US had acted unilaterally before co-operation between the two blocs had been tried.
Mr Kovács said the US had acted unilaterally before co-operation between the two blocs had been tried. “I also regret that the USA did not await the results of the pilot actions that the EU and US customs are about to launch before pressing ahead with this piece of legislation.”
"Our pilot actions could have put this off for twenty years, at least!"
The European Commission said the law, which would take effect within five years, would place a “very heavy financial burden on EU business and ultimately its taxpayers” and require huge restructuring by ports. Many are already cramped for space and would find it hard to establish extra sheds and storage areas for scanning.

Brussels is examining whether the law breaches World Trade Organisation and World Customs Organisation rules.
I'll bet they find a purported violation. Don't you?
Mr Kovács said: “Instead of 100 per cent scanning, I advocate applying risk analysis for the selection of cargo containers to be checked prior to leaving the EU for the US. This would find a balance between legitimate trade facilitation and customs security, an approach that the European Union has always supported.”

The US already has customs officials sampling containers in countries considered to be a risk, such as Dubai.

It would be hard to quantify the price of scanning, though each container movement cost about $30-$50, said Drewry Shipping Consultants.
Doesn't sound like a lot, but with millions of containers on the move every day it adds up.
Posted by:lotp

#9  risk analysis

Sounds too much like [gasp] profiling. We'd better abandon it!

László Kovács obviously benefits directly from the EU Accent Marks Subsidy™

And coming into the third turn it's Fraaank, Frank G. heading towards a neck and neck photofinish for Snark O' the Day™!

Now you know how we've felt for the last sixty years.

"I guess the foot's on the other hand now, isn't it Kramer?" [/Airplane!]

without significantly driving up the cost of doing bid-ness with China

Stop, stop! Yer ripping my heart out!
Posted by: Zenster   2007-08-03 21:21  

#8  László Kovács obviously benefits directly from the EU Accent Marks Subsidy™

LOL, Frank! Seriously, I do NOT think 100% is honestly "do-able," without significantly driving up the cost of doing bid-ness with China, Europe et. al. Of course, I see that as a feature, not a bug. I'm sick of poisoined dog food, lead-painted toys, etc. making their way to our markets. If I were a true cynic, I would almost wonder if China were trying to give us the financial version of "death by a thousand cuts" with all their export snafu's lately.
Posted by: BA   2007-08-03 14:11  

#7  László Kovács, the European customs commissioner, said the unilateral action would force EuropeÂ’s taxpayers to foot the bill for US security.

Geez, now there's a switch. Pisses you off don't it, Lazlo? Now you know how we've felt for the last sixty years.
Posted by: tu3031   2007-08-03 13:14  

#6  US cargo importers have attacked the measure

Take away their import license. Yesterday.
Posted by: Icerigger   2007-08-03 10:06  

#5  The European Commission said the law, which would take effect within five years, would place a “very heavy financial burden on EU business and ultimately its taxpayers”

Perhaps lowering other taxes 'financial burdens' is an option, László?
Posted by: Raj   2007-08-03 08:06  

#4  László Kovács obviously benefits directly from the EU Accent Marks Subsidy™
Posted by: Frank G   2007-08-03 06:54  

#3  Seattle, San Francisco

Mixed feelings. How about Berzerkly? I know it is not a port...
Posted by: twobyfour   2007-08-03 02:50  

#2  F**k these ignorant, whining EU bastards. If they had even one functioning brain cell, they'd be eager to do this to protect themselves also. Do the fools not believe the Islamos would not like to take out a port in the EU as well as the US? Just one container with a nuke aboard could cause a very bad day. So much worse than a bridge going down. Can you imagine the city of Seattle, San Francisco, Long Beach or Miami just disappearing because one can't be troubled to check each and every container? The damn delay and cost to the importers is quite justified for our protection. Either do it or drop out of the game. We don't give a flying f**k about your opinions.
Posted by: Woozle Elmeter2970   2007-08-03 00:56  

#1  The EU is not in an advisory role here.
Posted by: newc   2007-08-03 00:24  

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