SASKATOON – …Canada and US have one of the largest bilateral trading partnerships in the world. In 2018, bilateral trade between Canada and the U.S. exceeded C$742 billion. …Premiers expressed concern over the growing use of protectionist measures by the US. …Premiers discussed the current impasse with regard to the WTOs dispute settlement mechanism. …The proper resolution of disputes is central to the interests of Canadian provinces and territories, especially in the areas of softwood lumber. Additionally, Premiers discussed the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the U.S.  Tariffs on Canadian softwood. …The urgency of getting a durable solution to this problem has been heightened over the past year as lumber prices have fallen dramatically. …Premiers call upon the federal government to redouble diplomatic efforts in Washington to get to a fair negotiated settlement to the dispute while protecting those provinces with current exclusions.