US shocks with NAFTA demands, lumber futures soar

October 16, 2017
Category: Today's Takeaway

Sabotage or strategy — that is the question being asked after the US shocked Canada and Mexico with its NAFTA demands; including proposals that would de-fang the dispute settlement mechanism. Meanwhile, the end-of-NAFTA jitters sent lumber futures soaring, BC’s Trade Envoy said it doesn’t have to be an economic catastrophe and Canada lobbied Oregon on the importance of lumber trade.

In other Business news:

With the death toll at 40, California firefighters continue to struggle with several massive fires. Related headlines include: California forests are too dense and dying; instead of fighting them, we should let forests burn; and US states struggle to pay spiralling costs. Elsewhere, an Arizona conservation group adopts a plan to thin forests and Oregon researchers say a shift in public mindset may be the step towards more effective management

Finally, the BC Forest Practices Board reports mixed results on steep slope road building; BC recognizes first responders with post-fire award; and a University of Georgia study says biomass energy is not feasible in the US.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

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