The American government is increasing security at its international borders as it prepares to invade Iraq, making it tougher for ordinary New Brunswickers and Canadian exporters to cross into Maine.

The extra vigilance is part of "Operation Liberty Shield" and will mean extra customs staff at border crossings, additional searches of passenger cars and more scrutiny of personal identification. There are also plans to deploy additional planes and helicopters to monitor the vast areas between border stations along the 6,500 kilometre Canada-U.S. border.

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The busiest crossing in New Brunswick is at the St. Stephen border, where a bridge carries Canadians into Calais, Maine several times a day.

St. Stephen deputy mayor Al Corbett says most local residents are waved through when they cross into the United States to buy everyday items such as gas or milk.

He doesn't expect the border crackdown to affect their personal freedom. "I truly don't believe we're going to see the same type of thing in St. Stephen that we see in Ontario or whatever."

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Business New Brunswick Minister Norm Betts is hoping the increased security won't hurt the ability of local businesses to bring their goods to large markets in the south. "We have a very good, porous border," he says. "You've got to remember they buy these goods because they need them, not because of our smiling faces, and we don't anticipate any problems there."

But if war breaks out and attitudes change, the American security plan could become a problem for New Brunswick.

The province's economy depends on trade with the Americans – 85 per cent of the province's exports cross the Maine-New Brunswick border.