White House Tries to Reassure Business About Security Plan's Effect on Trade

WASHINGTON — One day after sending Congress proposed legislation to create a Homeland Security Department, the Bush administration sought to reassure business that international trade would not be hampered by the focus on security.

“We need to understand that enhancing border security and facilitating commerce must be a dual mission,” Tom Ridge, director of homeland security, told business leaders at a White House meeting June 19. “They are not contradictory; they are complementary.”

Some businesses have raised concerns as to how Customs’ ongoing efforts to modernize its computer systems would be affected by the proposed reorganization of security functions into one cabinet-level department. Business leaders see the modernization of the customs process as critical to the smooth flow of freight.

For the full story, see the June 24 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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