VICTORIA — It is "completely absurd" that softwood lumber exports from British Columbia to the United States face higher duties than the same product from Russia, Premier David Eby said Wednesday. He said the softwood lumber industry is "under direct attack" after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional tariff of 10 per cent on imported softwood lumber starting Oct. 14. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said it is "frustrating" to see the United States treat Russia better than Canada. Do they want to do business with British Columbia or do they want to do business with Russia?" The United States announced the latest tariffs under its Trade Expansion Act, allowing the imposition of tariffs on the basis of national security, language which Parmar said is "ludicrous."