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British Columbia is looking to the Far East to find more of a future for the forestry industry, as the sector continues to be hammered by escalating tariffs from its biggest trading partner. …“We’re looking at a difficult situation because so much of our timber…was ultimately bound for United States markets,” said John Jack, chief councillor of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. “Because of the tariffs that’s dried up demand.” North of Huu-ay-aht territory sits Port Alberni, a hub of the region’s logging activity. But over the last generation the town has seen a succession of mill closures. “I’m a huge proponent of diversifying our markets because then we’re not so reliant on a country whose decision makers are not necessarily predictable and stable. I think of all the countries in the world, in places like Japan and South Korea stability are virtues,” he said. “I find that compatible with Maa-nulth culture.”