The Second Battle of Poitiers

Famous as the site where King Charles Martel beat back Muslim hordes in 732, the sleepy French city of Poitiers is again a war zone. This time the defenders are French customs agents trying to hold back an invasion of Japanese video recorders. This year alone, 550,000 (85% of total sales) were sold, an influx authorities fear could cripple France's own fledgling video recorder industry and deepen its projected $14 billion foreign trade deficit. When hefty new $65 annual licensing fees failed to dent demand, the government turned to obstructionism. Henceforth, decreed the French government, every Japanese recorder would have to clear a tiny ten-man customhouse in landlocked Poitiers.

The order had its intended effect: more than 60,000 video recorders are now backed up awaiting languorous inspection, and only 16,000 of the 200,000 recorders ordered for the holiday season are expected to make it to store shelves in time. So far Tokyo has expressed only "regret," but the gambit may well boomerang in classic protectionist fashion. A Japanese trade delegation that is now considering increased imports from France will surely keep the Poitiers ploy in mind.

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