Western European business travellers will be forced to give 48 hours’ notice of their plans to visit the US under legislation signed on Friday by President George W. Bush.

The bill, aimed at bolstering security against terrorism, also requires the screening of all air and sea freight at foreign ports before being allowed into the US.

The measures were among the recommendations made by the commission set up to investigate the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks on the US.

Mr Bush said: “This legislation builds upon the considerable progress we have made in strengthening our defences and protecting Americans since the attacks of September 11 2001.”