The US and Mexico have reached a trade deal that removes Chapter 19, the NAFTA dispute-resolution clause that protected Canadian lumber exports in the past. In related news: US appeals the WTO glossy paper decision despite the original-proponent’s disinterest; newsprint tariffs are paying off for Norpac; and US homebuilders accuse lumber mills of running a cartel.

In Wood Product news: 11 US wood industry associations form a coalition to promote the wood industry as a career path; tall wood buildings could face higher insurance costs; a new book on concrete got Treehugger’s attention; and an apartment fire in Chicago renews calls for ICC code adoption on sprinklers. 

Finally, rain and cooler temperatures bring some wildfire relief in BC and Alberta, California debates thinning as a means to reduce fire risk; and a Canadian Industry CEO says forestry is a clean tech success story.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor