10/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - Charles Grassley, a moderate Republican who chairs the influential finance committee at the US Senate, warns the Union against the "counter productive" effect of the threat of sanctions in the matter of tax relief for exports, the FSC. "Surprised" and "disappointed" by the adoption of a European law along these lines (see EUROPE of 9 December, p.8), Mr Grassley is mainly concerned by the rigid ultimatum thus imposed on Congress - which does not resume its work until 20 January 2004 - in the hope of pushing it to replace the illegal regime with new provisions that are conform to the rules of the WTO as soon as possible, and, at any rate, before the month of March 2004. "I'm concerned that such a mechanical procedure could force sanctions regardless of any changing dynamics in Europe or the US as we move towards compliance", he said on Tuesday, cited by The Financial Times.