Following Tree Frog News’ November 7 op-ed, “Rigged by Design? How Method and Policy Keep U.S. Lumber Duties High”, the US Lumber Coalition responded (Understanding Why Duties Persist — Not Because of Arbitrary Math, But Because of Past and Ongoing Harm) noting that the Department of Commerce did not use “zeroing” in its latest anti-dumping calculation. The note below clarifies what Commerce actually applied and what remains unresolved.
Following publication, the US Lumber Coalition pointed out that the Department of Commerce did not use “zeroing” in its latest anti-dumping calculation. In reviewing the record, Tree Frog News found that Commerce applied a differential-pricing framework, which uses statistical tests to determine comparison methods.¹ However, a 2020 WTO panel found that this framework could produce mathematically similar distortions to zeroing — in effect, “replicating the problem without using the name.”² but because the most recent review record is largely redacted and the WTO Appellate Body remains inactive, there has been no external review of how this method performed in the most recent review.
The more important question, then, is whether the procedural change has addressed the sources of bias identified in past WTO rulings — specifically in how Commerce calculates anti-dumping margins, measures subsidies, and selects its review periods — which continue to produce duty levels that appear inconsistent with actual market conditions. Tree Frog News will continue to report as new information emerges.
CASTLEGAR, BC
OTTAWA, ON – Canadian Forest Owners (CFO) appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources today as part of its study on the forest industry, which is being severely affected by the ongoing softwood lumber dispute. Andrew de Vries, Chief Executive Officer of CFO, and Vincent Miville, Vice-Chair of CFO and Executive Director of the Quebec Federation of Forest Producers, presented recommendations aimed at better recognizing the strategic role of forest owners and the importance of private forests in Canada. CFO represents 480,000 forest owners who collectively own about 10% of Canada’s forested land, but account for 20% of the country’s timber production. These owners supply wood to the forest industry, contribute to regional economies, and provide essential environmental services to rural communities. “The lack of understanding of private forests is a blind spot in Canada’s forest and trade policy, and as a result, support programs for the sector often overlook their essential contribution,” said de Vries.
The softwood timber tariffs levied by the U.S. have begun to hit the lumber industry hard. Citing a drooping softwood lumber demand, compounded by higher duties and additional tariffs that have reached 45 per cent for U.S. markets, West Fraser Timber announced Thursday its plans to permanently shutter both its Augusta, Ga., and 100 Mile House lumber mills by the end of 2025. Approximately 165 employees at the 100 Mile House mill will be laid off, as the company says it can’t secure an adequate volume of economically viable timber. The closing of the mill drops West Fraser’s capacity by 160 million board feet. …The closure of the Augusta lumber mill is a result of challenging lumber demand, and the loss of economically viable residual outlets, which combined has compromised the mill’s long-term viability. Around 130 employees will be laid off there, and further reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 140 million board feet.
TORONTO – United Steelworkers union (USW) National Director Marty Warren issued the following statement on the federal Budget 2025: This budget recognizes something workers have been saying for years. Canada needs to build more at home and expand its industrial capacity. The commitments on Buy-Canadian procurement, industrial strategy and trade enforcement are important steps forward and reflect priorities Steelworkers have been advocating for across the country. There are meaningful investments in steel, forestry, critical minerals and manufacturing – sectors that support thousands of good union jobs and anchor regional economies and communities. We welcome tools that can help stabilize supply chains and strengthen domestic production. …Buy-Canadian rules must be enforced, industrial dollars must translate into real jobs and production on the ground, and forestry and industrial communities need long-term certainty, not temporary relief. We see steps in the right direction. Now it’s about follow-through.
Campbell River, BC — La-kwa sa muqw Forestry Limited Partnership (LKSM) is ready to sit down at the bargaining table with the USW at any time, and has been ready throughout this strike, which it has made clear many times to the USW. However the USW has repeatedly refused to do so, as recently as October 24. Despite repeated invitations from LKSM, the USW has also declined both meaningful negotiations and mediation to assist the bargaining process, unnecessarily prolonging this months-long strike. “LKSM’s First Nations shareholders are dismayed and extremely frustrated by the provincial government’s failure to help both parties to make progress through the appointment of a mediator, especially given the hardships the forestry industry is facing right now,” says Nanwakolas Council President Dallas Smith. “Mediation is an opportunity to bring the parties together …and yet BC still has failed to appoint a mediator after all this time.”
BURNABY, BC — Interfor reported its Q3, 2025 results. The company recorded a net loss of $215.8 million compared to net earnings of $11.1 million in Q2’25 and a net loss of $105.7 million in Q3’24. Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $183.8 million on sales of $689.3 million in Q3’25 versus Adjusted EBITDA of $17.2 million on sales of $780.5 million in Q2’25 and an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $22.0 million on sales of $692.7 million in Q3’24. Lumber production of 912 million board feet was down 23 million board feet versus the preceding quarter. This decline largely reflects the Company’s announcement on September 4, 2025, to temporarily curtail production. …Weak lumber market conditions were reflected in Interfor’s average selling price of $618 per mfbm, down $66 per mfbm versus Q2’25. …Interfor’s strategy of maintaining a diversified portfolio of operations in multiple regions allows the Company to both reduce risk and maximize returns on capital over the business cycle.
NEW YORK — Mercer International reported third quarter 2025 Operating EBITDA of negative $28.1 million, a decrease from positive $50.5 million in the same quarter of 2024 and negative $20.9 million in the second quarter of 2025. In the third quarter of 2025, net loss was $80.8 million compared to $17.6 million in the same quarter of 2024 and $86.1 million in the second quarter of 2025. Mr. Juan Carlos Bueno, CEO, stated: “In the third quarter of 2025, persistent global economic and trade uncertainties, fiber scarcity in Germany as well as the impact of pulp substitution accelerated the decline in pulp market demand and pricing, which negatively impacted our operating results and contributed to a $20.4 million non-cash inventory impairment charge in the quarter.
VANCOUVER, BC — Canfor Corporation reported its third quarter of 2025 results. The Company reported an operating loss of $208 million and a net loss of $172 million. …Canfor’s CEO, Susan Yurkovich, stated: “The ongoing global economic and trade uncertainty, in conjunction with punitive US softwood lumber duties, led to persistently weak market conditions and subdued demand across all of our operating regions during the third quarter of 2025. …For the lumber segment, the operating loss was $182.2 million for the third quarter of 2025, compared to the previous quarter’s operating loss of $229.2 million. …For the 
Biologist Amber Peters and the Valhalla Wilderness Society (VWS) screened their highly-anticipated film, Safe Haven: The Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness, about the biodiverse and nearly-untouched inland temperate rainforest just north of Revelstoke. “This is the best example of a fully-intact inland temperate rainforest,” Peters said. … The Rainbow-Jordan is likely “the largest pocket of intact temperate rainforest in the region” around Revelstoke, Wildsight Revelstoke branch manager Reanne Harvey said. “The forest itself has been in that space for over a thousand years.” … The 30-minute film, produced in collaboration with Damien Gillis, advocates for the B.C. government to protect these expanses of hard-to-access and undisturbed old-growth from logging as a Class A provincial park. Unlike an old-growth protected area or Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area, park status would ensure legislated protection for the Rainbow-Jordan, Peters told some 200 attendees at the screening.
Murray Wilson believes active forest management is crucial to reducing greenhouse emissions. The connection between the two is wildfires. “If you can reduce wildfires, just on carbon alone – your CO2 emissions – you’re doing a good thing,” said the retired Vernon forester… For the past year, Wilson has been sharing this message, about the need for active forest management, with residents and politicians through his new and first film, the documentary B.C. is Burning. …The Shuswap Climate Action Society, Forsite Consultants Ltd. and Canoe Forest Products will present the film in Salmon Arm on Nov. 26, with a Q&A moderated by Salmon Arm Mayor Alan Harrison. …Wilson will be screening the documentary at the B.C. Legislature. He said government officials, including B.C. Wildfire assistant deputy minister Rob Schweitzer, featured in the film, have taken part in past screenings and question periods. He views this as a sign the documentary is resonating with the Province.
Local residents are invited to share their input on the development of the Mackenzie forest landscape plan (FLP), which will guide long-term forest management in the area. “This is an opportunity for Mackenzie residents to share what matters most about your forests,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “Forests are part of who we are and your voices guide how they’re managed.” People can share their thoughts through a survey, open from Monday, Nov. 10 until Dec. 22, 2025. …FLPs are intended to be developed in partnership with First Nations to ensure meaningful participation in forestry planning and decision-making. Tsay Keh Dene Nation has partnered with the Province on the Mackenzie FLP. Engagement with other First Nations in the area continues. Community engagement is also a key part of every FLP, ensuring everyone in the area has an opportunity to be heard. 
A First Nations joint-venture forestry company is under fire for its burning practices. C̕awak ʔqin Forestry recently lit up a series of burn piles only a few metres from where a local company turns post harvest wood waste into much needed hogfuel for the Catalyst paper mill. Under provincial guidelines, forest harvesters are supposed to look for grinding or chipping opportunities ahead of burning. Keith Wyton from the local air quality council says local governments should push foresters to not burn. …Forest companies are allowed to pile and burn slash at this time of year, but Wyton wants the BC Government to step in. …C̕awak ʔqin General Manager Geoff Payne said they were operating within provincial guidelines and were permitted to burn. C̕awak ʔqin Forestry is a joint venture between Western Forest Products and the Huu-ay-aht First Nation.
Trouble in the Headwaters, a 25-minute documentary by Daniel J. Pierce, is coming to Golden! This film sheds light on the disastrous 2018 flood event in Grand Forks, BC, and features UBC forest hydrology and watershed management Professor Dr. Younes Alila. Both Daniel and Younes will be present to introduce the film and answer questions afterwards as part of a panel discussion with local experts and Wildsight’s forestry team. Join us to explore the complex connection between clearcut logging and the increasing frequency of floods, landslides and droughts across our province. 
ALBERTA — Crowsnest Pass, the lowest pass through the Rocky Mountains between New Mexico and Jasper National Park, is home to Alberta’s rarest, most tree-species-rich forest. Some species growing here are as rare in Alberta as sage grouse and woodland caribou. …Trees don’t thrive within this forest. They cling to life. …A question I’ve long posed to society and the managers of southwestern Alberta’s matchstick forest is this: Is it economically viable to manage this forest for timber production? …Some years ago, I was selected to sit on a Government of Alberta advisory committee creating a vision for future management of this forest. …Alberta’s forest managers, responding to the problem they helped create, have now placed a new prescription on the pharmacist’s cutting block. The old prescription — clear-cut logging. The new prescription — profoundly expanded clear-cut logging.
The PRT tree seedling nursery …with locations in Canada and the United States is North America’s largest producer of container-grown forest seedlings. …But at time when the forestry sector is facing hurdles such as softwood lumber duties and new American tariffs, the 2 Billion Trees program will be scrapped in the proposed federal 2025 budget. …a billion trees would have been grown from seed in nurseries like PRT and then planted across Canada. …Brinkman Reforestation is the largest tree planting company in Canada and says the industry is facing enough hurdles without having the 2 Billion Trees program cancelled. …In Black Creek, three generations of the same family have been growing tree seedlings at Sylvan Vale Nurseries. …manager Siriol Paquet says extra programs like 2 Billion Trees are important at at time when logging is declining, because if trees aren’t being cut, then they don’t need to be replaced with new ones.
Every year, there are thousands of landslides in Oregon. Geologists say the number is increasing due to climate change. …Swaths of the Pacific Northwest are particularly prone, thanks to a combination of mountainous landscape and heavy rainfall. “Over the last couple decades, the landslides and the surface processes and surface hazards that I’ve been working on have become much more prominent, primarily due to climate change and humans inhabiting more areas in hazardous terrain,” said Josh Roering, a professor of earth sciences at the University of Oregon. …Roering is one of the geologists involved in the newly formed Center for Land Surface Hazards (CLaSH). A $15 million NSF grant jumpstarted the center that will study landslides and other surface hazards. While CLaSH is housed in the University of Michigan, it is a collaboration with more than a dozen academic, governmental and community partners across the country. 
Drax power plant has continued to burn 250-year-old trees sourced from some of Canada’s oldest forests despite growing scrutiny of its sustainability claims, forestry experts say. A new report suggests it is “highly likely” that Britain’s biggest power plant sourced some wood from ecologically valuable forests as recently as this summer. Drax, Britain’s single biggest source of carbon emissions, has received billions of pounds in subsidies from burning biomass derived largely from wood. The report, by Stand.earth, claims that a subsidiary of Drax Group received hundreds of truckloads of whole logs at its biomass pellet sites throughout 2024 and into 2025, which were likely to have included trees that were hundreds of years old. The report could raise fresh questions for the owner of the North Yorkshire power plant, which has been forced in recent years to defend its sustainability claims while receiving more than £2m a day in green energy subsidies from UK bill payers.
WorkSafeBC has fined the Provincial Government over $750,000 in connection with a pair of incidents involving the BC Wildfire Service that date back to 2023. An administrative penalty of $759,369 was levied on Sept. 25 following investigations into the two incidents – one of which led to the death of a firefighter near Fort St. John, while the other could have killed or injured multiple firefighters in the North Shuswap. In that North Shuswap incident, previous inspection reports by WorkSafeBC determined that a group of five Brazilian firefighters became “trapped by extreme fire behavior” during a planned ignition. …WorkSafeBC determined that a lack of planning, training, and communication were all contributing factors. …The other incident dates back to July 28, 2023, when 25-year-old firefighter, Zak Muise, was killed while fighting the Donnie Creek fire. WorkSafeBC determined that neither worker was wearing a helmet, the passenger had not been using a seatbelt, and the passenger-side retention netting had been damaged.