B-C’s envoy to the U-S for softwood lumber negotiations is coming out swinging in response to an announcement about new duties on Canadian wood. David Emerson calls the move by the Trump administration a “shakedown,” saying the U-S wants to pit Canadian producers against each other. He says a small but powerful lumber coalition south of the border is behind the tariff, adding it’s something he’s seen many times in the past. Despite the hefty duty, Emerson says B-C and Canada’s industry should be able to weather the storm but it will be much harder for smaller operators.