VANCOUVER — Ottawa must make a case of “mutual benefit” with the United States as it advocates for Canada’s softwood lumber industry during trade negotiations, BC Premier David Eby said Friday… “the US cannot produce enough wood to meet its domestic demand.” …The premier’s remarks came after the U.S. Department of Commerce posted its preliminary tariff determination for the sector, with total duties estimated at just short of 25%, lower than the current rate of more than 35%. …COFI’s Kim Haakstad, agreed with the premier, saying it’s important for B.C. to ensure softwood lumber doesn’t “get lost” among other industries based in Eastern Canada. …The Independent Wood Processors Association said the US ruling was “further evidence” the softwood lumber dispute mechanism has become a “broken process”. The BC Lumber Trade Council said Canadian lumber producers continue to face “unjustified and punitive trade measures.” BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the province was disappointed.
Related coverage:
- Derrick Penner in the Vancouver Sun: David Eby says BC is still putting pressure on Ottawa to resolve Canada-US lumber dispute
- Jami Makan in Business in Vancouver: B.C. minister pushes Ottawa to stand up for ailing forestry sector and Eby draws a bead on American tariffs at B.C. forestry conference
- Resource Works, by Ian Biana: Fifteen thousand jobs gone. The trees are still there. and The mill closes. Vancouver doesn’t notice. Three mayors want to change that.