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U.S. tariff threat on Canadian lumber could chop export market, U.S. construction: expert

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      U.S. tariff threat on Canadian lumber could chop export market, U.S. construction: expert

      2025-04-03 22:09 Last Updated At:04-04 02:17

      The U.S. threat to impose higher antidumping duties on softwood lumber from Canada could increase the tax burden on the Canadian lumber sector while making it harder for the U.S. construction industry to access high-quality, low-cost wood, said a Canadian forest resources expert.

      For years, the U.S. has been one of the primary export destinations for Canadian lumber, with imported softwood from Canada, much of it used for residential and commercial structures, making up a significant share of the U.S. softwood market.

      Last month, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the preliminary results of its sixth administrative review of the antidumping duty order on imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products. While the preliminary margin rates have not yet taken effect, they could increase to 20.07 percent, up from the 7.66 percent determined in the previous administrative review.

      Gary Bull, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Forest Resources Management at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, explained that higher tariffs could severely impact Canada's lumber sector.

      "When it looks like we will get tariffs April 2nd - could take our total burden for our lumber industry from anywhere from fourteen percent up to sixty percent in British Columbia because since we represent half of the industry in Canada in B.C. alone. And then of course the rest of Canada also will suffer equally," said the professor.

      However, high lumber tariffs could backfire for the U.S. According to reports from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the U.S. currently meets only about 70 percent of its homebuilding lumber needs domestically, relying on Canadian lumber for the remaining 30 percent.

      "Some of the smaller to medium sized companies they have an interest in - it's to their benefit to have - a stoppage of lumber coming from Canada because then they can of course make more money. So if you look at the National Association of Home Builders, on the other hand, want our number because they want better quality wood and they want a lower price," Bull said.

      The U.S. Department of Commerce has held six rounds of administrative reviews of the anti-dumping duty order on Canadian softwood imports, whose results should inform final tariff decisions, but Bull said they had found no evidence to support the idea that Canada is dumping products into the U.S. market.

      "The tariffs are in two categories of the anti-dumping and the countervailing duty. And from my point of view, the anti-dumping duty in particular makes absolutely no sense because I see no evidence in the data that suggests that we are dumping product into the U.S. market," Bull added.

      U.S. tariff threat on Canadian lumber could chop export market, U.S. construction: expert

      U.S. tariff threat on Canadian lumber could chop export market, U.S. construction: expert

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      China's Chongqing innovates urban drainage with "sponge city" model

      2025-05-16 15:22 Last Updated At:15:37

      Bishan District in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality is setting a new benchmark in urban drainage through its innovative "sponge city" model.

      Bishan District was selected in February 2017 as a pilot for climate adaptation, and has developed itself into a sponge city.

      By utilizing permeable bricks, the ground is enabled to absorb water more effectively, enhancing natural infiltration. In addition, rain gardens function as natural reservoirs, while school rooftops have been transformed into verdant green spaces.

      Overall, this innovative approach not only helps mitigate urban flooding, but also contributes to improving the local microclimate -- an exemplary model of ecological urban development.

      "What is a 'sponge city'? It's an urban development concept that treats the city like a giant sponge -- absorbing water when it rains and releasing it when needed. The system is highly flexible," said Tang Chuandong, a planning designer of the Western Branch of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design.

      Over the recent years, Bishan District has developed mini sponge systems.

      "Solid buildings and hard ground aren't very adaptable when it comes to climate change. For that reason, we incorporated sunken areas into industrial park designs to create rain gardens -- mini ecological sponge systems," Tang said.

      When it rains, water is collected in these gardens and is filtered through vegetation, soil and sand layers before being stored in underground tanks. Multiple small sponge systems beneath large buildings help disperse, manage and store rainwater more effectively. Additionally, Bishan District's sponge city initiative has made the ground more permeable.

      "We've laid permeable bricks with a certain porosity. This allows rainwater to seep into the ground, thereby reducing surface water buildup," said Tang.

      Tang also highlighted the ecological benefits of transforming school rooftops into lush green spaces.

      "Typical rooftops are just bare concrete. But when building a sponge city, like here at the school, aside from the greenery around us, we also green the rooftop. The area most exposed to sunlight is our rooftop, right? We turned the roof into a green sponge system by laying down soil, scattering seeds, and growing grass. It's like giving the rooftop a 'green jacket'. Doesn't it feel cooler?" he said.

      "Don't underestimate the small green roof. As the Chinese saying goes, 'No good deed is too small to be done.' One roof may have limited impact, but if many buildings, or an entire city, adopt green roofs, the effect on urban climate regulation could be extremely substantial," said Tang.

      China's Chongqing innovates urban drainage with "sponge city" model

      China's Chongqing innovates urban drainage with "sponge city" model

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