Trump declares 20% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber

Multiple reports are surfacing that Donald Trump announced a 20% tariff on softwood lumber going into the U.S. from Canada today while speaking with the U.S. media.

TRUMP: “We’re going to be putting a 20% tax on softwood lumber coming in — tariff on softwood coming into the United States from Canada"

— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) April 24, 2017

BREAKING: President Trump to put a 20% tax on soft lumber entering the US from Canada

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) April 24, 2017

Trump's announcement has sent waves through the west coast logging industry

.@Canada disagrees strongly with @CommerceGov’s decision to impose unfair & punitive duties on Cdn softwood products https://t.co/cXZs3pEszD

— Natural Resources (@NRCan) April 25, 2017

“We’re going to be putting a 20% tax on softwood lumber coming in, tariff on softwood coming into the United States from Canada,” said President Trump according to Charlie Spiering of Breitbart Media.

Trump intensifies trade dispute with Canada, slapping tariffs of up to 24% on imported softwood lumber https://t.co/cBvT3fu5KT pic.twitter.com/ljNE1VBQFI

— Bloomberg (@business) April 25, 2017

Trump told reporters, “Canada has treated us very unfairly” and also threatened a tax on Canada’s dairy industry, according to Trey Yingst of OANN.

Trump: "Canada has treated us very unfairly."

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) April 24, 2017

Trump says he may also put an import tax on dairy products coming from Canada.

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) April 24, 2017

The tariffs have been anticipated since last week when Trump launched a barrage of criticism against Canada’s dairy, energy and lumber sectors.

B.C. Premiere Christy Clark quickly responded with a statement saying government will fight for B.C.'s forest workers.

My message to BC forest workers, their families, and producers: We are here for you. We will fight for you. We will not give up. pic.twitter.com/5Jy82DnuhM

— Christy Clark (@christyclarkbc) April 25, 2017

The Federal government gave more than $300 million in late 2002 and then $1.5 billion in November 2005, with $900 million for loan insurance to help financially strapped exporters when American duties were imposed in 2001.