shotone,
I am so sorry that my country is so much larger than yours, it seams to inconvienience you.
If the United States of America were 50 independant countries like the European Union is, then you would be correct.
Typically Shotone cannot draw the distinction between the two sets of rights. Anycountry can come into the US and sort freight and continue out. They can also continue IN as long as they don't add freight picked up in the US and dropped off within the US.
Non US companies do it all the time at Anchorage. They land at Anchorage from their various Asian origination points, rescramble the freight (We are now in the USA) as they refuel and continue on the NY or LAX or ORD etc...
We don't allow british companies to come in and set up toll booths on the George Washington Bridge either, that must be protectionism as well.
Cheers
Wino