The Trump administration moved Monday to impose a 20% tariff on softwood lumber entering the United States from Canada, escalating an intensifying trade dispute between the two countries. On Twitter, Breitbart News White House correspondent Charlie Spiering quoted Trump as saying, "We're going to be putting a 20% tax on softwood lumber coming in — tariff on softwood coming into the United States from Canada." The Commerce Department later announced it had reached a preliminary determination and would impose countervailing duties ranging from 3% to 24% on imported softwood lumber, with an average of about 20%. Trump has called the move "a disgrace" that's hurting U.S. producers in dairy states like Wisconsin. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, imports of softwood lumber from Canada were valued at an estimated $5.66 billion in 2016.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 25, 2017 11:50 UTC