The Ambassador Bridge, connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is the No. 1 commercial crossing in the world. Is Border Security Trumping Trade? U.S.-Canada trade is worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually. How do we balance the interests of homeland security with those of commerce at our northern bridges and ports of entry? BY APRIL TERRERI he effects of any event causing the shutdown of deployed so legitimate trade can continue.” one of our nation’s primary trading arteries with The U.S. and Canada enjoy a trading partnership unlike Canada are almost beyond comprehension. “Take any other two border countries, with the largest bilateral Detroit as an example, with over 6,000 trucks fl ow of goods and services in the world. Trade between the Tincoming to the U.S. crossing the Ambassador Bridge two countries averaged a whopping $1.2 billion per day in on a daily basis,” states Ronald Smith, chief of the 2004, well over $428 billion that year. Canada moves about Detroit fi eld offi ce for Customs and Border Protection 87 percent of its exports to the US, as the US market is 10 (CBP), responsible for the ports of Detroit, Port Huron, times the size of Canada’s. The Ambassador Bridge, con- and Sault Ste. Marie. “A shutdown would mean closing necting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, is the No. 1 com- automotive plants and suppliers in both the U.S. and mercial crossing in the world. Canada. It would cause a rippling effect to our economy So, few security concerns are more vital than keeping that would quickly become a tsunami. The vitality of these arteries free fl owing. But, what really is the current our economies depends on the security we need to have health of our border security measures? Ask James G. Reprinted from World Trade Magazine, June 2007 • www.worldtrademag.com Border Security our ports of entry and we’ve deployed advanced target- ing systems and intelligence sharing between agencies in the federal, state, and local governments,” reports Mike Milne, press offi cer for CBP’s Seattle fi eld offi ce, responsible for the busy Blaine, Washington crossing (which is actually two crossings, the Peace Arch Cross- ing, or Interstate 5, dedicated to passenger vehicles, and one mile east the commercial Pacifi c Highway Crossing with three truck lanes). U.S.-Canada Commercial Trade by All Surface Modes The second part of CBP’s mission is to facilitate legal trade and travel, adds Smith. “The technology we’ve Incoming deployed at the borders makes our offi cers more effi cient Border Crossing Trucks Truck Lanes Trade Dollars and effective, which helps us in this mission.” Offi cers are trained to spot anomalies indicating risk. Detroit 1.8 million 14 $75.7 billion Another initiative requires e-manifests for incoming Buffalo 1.2 million $36.6 billion commercial trucks and trains, under the new ACE (Auto- mated Commercial Environment) ruling. “This is similar - Lewiston-Queenston Bridge 4 to prior manifests necessary for ocean vessels and aircraft to determine if a truck needs further scrutiny when it arrives - Peace Bridge 7 in our port,” explains Milne. Blaine 366,000 3 $7.9 billion CBP plazas are vigilant ports of entry where activities are constantly monitored using gates, lighting, and cameras. Source: U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics and data provided by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (2004) License plate readers gather information. VACIS (Vehicle and Cargo Inspection Systems) are gamma X-ray imaging Liddy of Liddy International to rate security at our north- devices scanning entire trucks, trailers, and trains. “Radia- ern border crossings and he can give only a ‘fair’ rating tion portal monitors are also used to screen all cars, buses, because so many initiatives are at an elementary level. trucks, and trains for any sources of radiation.” Although the issue of security has a lot more attention A fi rst layer of security here is assuring there are no these days, Liddy stresses not enough prescriptive rem- anomalies between a truck, its driver, its contents, and edies are focused on critical operational transportation its e-manifest, adds Kevin Corsaro, CBP public affairs nodes within our bridges, tunnels, and border crossings. offi cer for the Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Lewiston, New “We have to keep in mind that York region. these critical nodes are what ter- After the 2001 attacks, bridges rorists want to target in order to “Security should be and border crossings received attack our economy.” On the other approached as a ‘dollar for threat and vulnerability assess- hand, economic considerations ments. “We made a large invest- underscore the importance of not security equals a dollar for ment in technologies, including burdening these trade channels integrated closed-circuit TV and with unnecessary bureaucratic safety and effi ciency’. Then an access-control alarm system,” impediments. adds Brent Gallaugher, manager So, where do you make the you will really get buy-in of agency relations and security trade-offs? How are we maintain- for Niagara Falls Bridges Com- ing the balance in preserving the because it’s more effi cient mission responsible for the secu- critical infrastructure supporting and increases throughput.” rity of the Rainbow, Whirlpool this healthy trade partnership? To Rapids, and Lewiston-Queen- fi nd out, we examined a few of the ston bridges. “We decided we busiest commercial border crossings along the northern would get beyond the cutting edge and get to the bloody border: Detroit, Buffalo, and Blaine (Washington). edge of technology. With sophisticated systems, over 160 cameras at our bridges, and over 100 access con- In the crosshairs trol points using proximity cards, we control who gains Jurisdiction at U.S.-Canada border crossings is two-fold. access to our facilities.” CBP, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for assuring no entering vehicle, its The balancing act passengers, or its cargo, will pose a security threat. Bridge The Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance (www. authorities and commissions—owned privately or through canambta.org) headquartered in Lewiston, New York, public-private partnerships—are responsible for the safety, is an organization comprised of Canadian and Ameri- maintenance, and security of bridge infrastructures and can companies, Chambers of Commerce, bridge and toll decide how to protect them operators, brokers, and governmental agencies. Its mission CBP’s mission is to keep terrorists and terror weap- is to ensure growth of cross-border trade and effi cient, pro- ons out of the U.S. “Since we began operating, we ductive border-crossing capabilities. “Our intent is to get doubled the number of people working at and between effective programs implemented while avoiding knee-jerk reactions to security concerns, such as some legislators because it’s more efficient and increases throughput.” demanding that everything be inspected,” says Jim Phil- Additional border crossings and improved infra- lips, president and CEO. structures in key crossings, especially in the Detroit and Nevertheless, some still maintain the pillars of trade Buffalo regions, would help reduce processing times, facilitation and security do clash. “There is the sense in the Conley adds. “We are also a strong supporter of volun- business community that the balance has tipped in favor tary programs—such as C-TPAT and PIP (Partners in of security,” says Jason Conley, senior manager of home- Protection) on the Canadian side—that encourage com- land security for Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Chamber panies to strengthen their own supply chain security of Commerce (www.uschamber.com). practices.” Since NAFTA, there’s Vehicle and truck been an explosive growth inspections have increased in the volume of trade “It only takes us two to three at the Peace Bridge, between the two countries, reports CBP’s Corsaro. “It states Conley, although minutes to scan the contents of a only takes us two to three trade volume has stabilized minutes to scan the con- somewhat in recent years. truck, where it used to take two or tents of a truck with our “This means the further three officers two or three hours to new equipment, where it integration of the North used to take two or three American economy and do the same level of inspection.” officers two or three hours we would like to see that to do the same level of continue. If security mea- inspection.” sures are implemented incorrectly, they can create friction CBP’s Smith in Detroit emphasizes the importance on trade and result in a non-tariff barrier trade.” of Customs’ highly trained officers. “So much of secu- The balance between security and trade facilitation, rity depends on their training and experience. If an offi- says Gallaugher, is something with which both the U.S. cer feels we need to check a vehicle further, I trust that and Canadian governments continue to wrestle. “We want instinct and we will take a closer look.” to know who or what is coming so we can be prepared. FAST-certified commercial trucks get red-carpet treat- This is what FAST (Fast and Secure Trade) and other pre- ment. “We have five lanes now for auto and truck traffic arrival notification programs do.” on the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, with a dedicated Ron Rienas, general manager of the Buffalo and Fort FAST lane from the Canadian side through to the U.S. Erie Public Bridge Authority (www.peacebridge.com) is side,” notes Gallaugher. acutely aware of the challenge. “We believe we can do both if we do it intelligently.” Mitigation plans By this, Rienas means intelligently designed non- Plans for any disruption involve both CBP and bridge intrusive security systems and bridge infrastructures.