Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, President Trump and Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau agreed to close the border separating the United States and Canada temporarily to non-essential travel amid the COVID-19 outbreak. American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to both countries recognizing the importance of cross-border trade:

“The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) would like to thank President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau for recognizing that cross-border trade in goods is necessary to maintaining closely linked supply chains that exist between our two countries.

“In 2019, total U.S. – Canada trade in pulp and paper products totaled $12.8 billion. Now more than ever, it is imperative that AF&PA members are afforded the ability to continue manufacturing our essential products for consumers and businesses globally.”