Pete Hoekstra

Pete Hoekstra says he hopes the United States and Canada can strike a deal on softwood lumber, an issue that predates both of Donald Trump’s terms in Washington. “This is going to be a very, very difficult one to solve,” Hoekstra, the US ambassador to Canada, said Friday on a visit to New Brunswick. “I think the focus will be resolving some other issues, finding out exactly how we do those to see if maybe after 40 years we can finally resolve softwood lumber.” …When asked if the U.S. needs Canada’s wood products, Hoekstra wasn’t sure. J.D. Irving said that “more than 80% of New Brunswick’s forest products exports cross the US border.” Those products include softwood and hardwood lumber, pulp and paper products, shingles, fibre and oriented strand board, and even Christmas trees. Hoekstra stopped in Fredericton on Friday to meet with Premier Susan Holt.