Trade dominates the airwaves again. Notable headlines include:

• Trump gets four Pinocchios on trade deficit with Canada (Washington Post)
• Canada’s dependency on the US looks like a liability (National Post
• Duties are a critical cost challenge for Catalyst (Vancouver Sun)
• Gov. Lepage challenged on why logs went to Canadian company (Maine Free Press)

In Business news: Norbord suspends OSB mill in BC due to a lack of wood; BC economist Finlayson says economic outlook stable but politicians lose sight of the importance resource-based industries; US construction material prices continue to rise; and US homebuilder optimism is down for a third straight month.

Climate change studies speak to the risk: of permafrost loss in Europe; the loss of wildlife in the Amazon; and UN projects doing more harm than good in Africa.

Finally, can concrete be improved with wood nanocrystals? Can plastic drink cartons be made with wood? Yes and Yes!

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor