Unhappy with President Trump’s plan to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum, Canada, Asia and the EU are up in arms and vowing to retaliate. In other trade news: a WTO decision on log restrictions in Indonesia is a blow to Canada’s softwood lumber defence; and a Wall Street Journal feature on how trade restrictions et al have resulted in lumber shortages and record prices.

Meanwhile, FPAC CEO Derek Nighbor supports MP Richard Canning’s Bill requiring the Canadian government to consider wood; OFIA’s Jamie Lim wants to maximize wood’s potential in Ontario; and Wood for Good and Trada will feature a Timber district at this year’s Ecobuild in the UK.

In Forestry news: Oregon ENGOs call Oregon the “Home of the Clear Cut“; the Tokyo Olympics are criticized for using Asian rainforest timber; South Korea mulls planting forests razed for the Pyeongchang Games; and forestry is the issue that “dare not speak its name” in the Tasmanian election. 

Finally, Congressman Jared Huffman wants to save California’s redwood country – by logging some of it.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor