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Canada criticizes latest U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber, calling the move unfair

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• It is the latest volley in a bilateral tug-of-war that Ottawa has described as a drag on efforts to improve housing costs and supply.

Canada's Minister of International Trade criticizes the U.S. Department of Commerce for nearly doubling tariffs on softwood lumber, saying the measure is unfair and unjustified.

Minister Mary Ng said the U.S. has significantly increased tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, from 8.05% to 14.54%.

"The U.S.'s unfounded and unfair tariffs on softwood lumber unjustifiably harm consumers and producers on both sides of the border," Ng said in a press release.

It is the latest volley in a bilateral tug-of-war that Ottawa has described as a drag on efforts to improve housing costs and supply.

The increase in the combined tariff rate for "all others" has drawn backlash from the British Columbia government and industry.

"We’ve said it from the beginning and we’ll say it again now: the only solution is to end the unfair tariffs on softwood lumber," said British Columbia's Minister of Forests, Bruce Ralston, in a press release.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, under the Tariff Act, determines whether products are sold at less than fair value or benefit from subsidies provided by foreign governments.