B.C. forests minister off to China on trade mission

By Nelson Bennett
Business in Vancouver
November 10, 2017
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, Canada West

B.C. Forests Minister Doug Donaldson left today, November 10, on what is being billed as the “largest-ever” trade mission to China, with the hope of expanding B.C.’s growing share of the Chinese lumber market. Donaldson is leading a mission of 30 forest company executives to both China and Japan. From November 12 to 17 they will meet Chinese government and business leaders in Shanghai, Nanjing and Tokyo. Although he did not mention the dispute Canada is having with the U.S. over both softwood lumber duties and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), it’s clear the mission is intended to reduce B.C.’s reliance on the U.S., which is still the largest market for Canadian wood products. … Asked if his government is contemplating new restrictions on log exports, Donaldson seemed to suggest it is considering at least reducing the volume of logs exported.

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