U.S. increases duties on Canadian softwood lumber, bringing total to more than 35 per cent

The United States has increased countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber, bringing the total to 35.19 per cent.

The decision was announced on Friday by the U.S. Department of Commerce .

Although the escalating fees were anticipated , they still drew swift condemnation and words of alarm from industry and political leaders in B.C. and Ontario, who say it is yet the latest example of unfair treatment of the industry from their largest and most important international partner.

"Two words describe Donald Trump's latest move to increase countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber: absurd and reckless," B.C.'s Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said in a statement posted to social media.

"Adding these additional softwood duties ... will only worsen an affordability crisis on bo