The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pledging a co-ordinated offensive with the provinces to fight new U.S. duties against Canadian softwood lumber exports while opening the door to retaliation against U.S. coal. The Globe's Brent Jang writes that on Friday the PM assured B.C. Premier Christy Clark he will stick up for Canada's forestry industry. He said the federal government will begin examining Ms. Clark's request that Ottawa ban exports of thermal coal from B.C. ports. As well, he expressed his disagreement with the "U.S. Department of Commerce's decision to impose an unfair and punitive duty on Canadian softwood lumber products." He said the U.S. accusations are without merit, "as we have made clear to the U.S. administration." In a letter to the PM, Ms. Clark linked her request for a ban on thermal-coal exports to the U.S. decision to slap duties of up to 24.12 per cent on Canadian lumber shipments south of the border. Her request covers not only U.S. coal producers, but also asks Ottawa to halt thermal-coal exports that originate from Canadian mines. She expressed her pleasure at the PM's support for the review and proposed ban.