The Trump administration’s focus on retribution against individuals and organizations that disagree with him may be curbing B.C.’s effort to rally U.S. protests against lumber price hikes.

Premier David Eby is talking to U.S. politicians about the issue — he had a virtual meeting with California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday.

But Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said U.S. organizations and businesses that will have to deal with higher lumber prices when the higher duties hit seem reluctant to speak up.

He told the legislature: “It’s hard to imagine a large democracy like the U.S. where … industry organizations were fearful of standing up because they didn’t want to get their heads cut off by the president.

“How crazy is that?”

He said Canadians are fairly critical of politicians and have lots of opportunities to make their feelings known. But he’s hearing about American interests “that would love nothing more than to join us in making the case to stand up for their building sector — but are afraid to do so. … It doesn’t bode well for democracy.”

Parmar said he hopes people get a chance to make their case known.

“They’re not going to be able to afford the........

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