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Gov. Paul LePage has asked President Donald Trump’s administration to exempt eastern Canadian provinces from softwood lumber tariffs that he says will lead to layoffs and shut-down operations in Maine.

The Republican President has argued Canada unfairly subsidizes its softwood lumber industry, which includes spruce, pine and fir used for everything from home construction to newspapers. The Trump administration this year began collecting preliminary tariffs on imported softwood lumber from Canada.

A 19.88 percent tariff expired Saturday, though most lumber companies still pay a 6.87 percent duty. U.S. commerce and trade officials are investigating the industry and its impact on American producers. U.S. officials have until November to decide whether to reinstate the tariffs.

LePage, a Republican, asked U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross this month to exempt Canadian provinces New Brunswick and Quebec from the softwood lumber tariffs. The governor raised the issue with Canadian officials and fellow New England governors at a conference in Canada this week.

The matter could be hashed out soon, at a time when United States and Canadian officials are reviewing the North American Free Trade Agreement. The 23-year-old pact did away with most barriers, including tariffs, on trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

From U.S. News: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/maine/articles/2017-08-31/maine-governor-says-trump-lumber-tariffs-threatening-jobs