Trump threatens to raise tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke spreading across U.S
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Trump threatens to raise tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke spreading across U.S
Trump threatens Canada with new tariffs over wildfire smoke, blames "willful negligence"
ContinuationCanadian wildfire smoke blankets US cities as hazardous air shuts beaches and postpones games
President Donald Trump on Friday blamed Canada for wildfire smoke spreading across the United States and said he would add the "incalculable cost" of dealing with the pollution to existing tariffs on Canadian goods. Heavy smoke from hundreds of Canadian fires enveloped a swath of the U.S. from the Midwest to the Northeast on Thursday and Friday, prompting warnings to residents to stay indoors.
Trump, who has a combative relationship with Prime Minister Mark Carney, said he would be calling the Canadian leader to find out what he planned to do about the "totally unacceptable" situation. "We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests ... and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air," he said in a Truth Social post. "This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying."
Canada's minister of emergency management and community resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, said the government has invested C$12 billion ($8.56 billion) in forest sustainability and fire prevention since 2020 as the country faces increasingly drier, warmer weather. She also cited a long history of U.S.-Canadian partnership in fighting wildfires on both sides of their border. "At this time, our first priority is protecting Canadians and keeping communities safe," Olszewski said in a statement.
Climate experts say rising temperatures have led to drier timber and more wildfires in recent years in Canada, home to some of the world's largest forest landscapes. "As our climate warms, we're seeing ... more extreme weather, and we're going to see more fire," said Mike Flannigan, a professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia.
Shortly after taking office in 2025, Trump imposed tariffs on several key imports from Canada. Carney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's remarks. Carney said on Thursday the United States could do more to combat climate change that is leading to more prolonged drought and rising temperatures around the world. The two men are likely to meet at the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday.
Many blazes this year are in the giant province of Ontario and are concentrated in the remote and sparsely populated northwest, where the only mode of transport is via air. According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, approximately 955 fires were active in Canada on Saturday, with the majority out of control. Over 190 of these fires are burning in the province of Ontario, some of which are also unchecked.
In the United States, air quality warnings were issued in major cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York City due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. The pollution has raised concerns ahead of Sunday's World Cup final at the open-air stadium in New Jersey.
Republican lawmakers echoed Trump's sentiments, with four U.S. representatives from the Midwest writing a letter to Canadian government officials, stating that their "patience is at an end." They accused the Canadian government of inaction on issues such as "chronic underinvestment in forest thinning, fuel reduction, and controlled burns, as well as inadequate law enforcement for arson."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to the criticism by stating that politicians should send help instead of making accusations. "Instead of pointing fingers, politicians should send help," Ford said, adding that Ontario has been assisting American friends.
The wildfires in Canada have destroyed approximately three million hectares of forest so far this year, an area roughly the size of the German state of Brandenburg. In recent years, Canada has experienced an increase in the number and severity of wildfires, which experts attribute to climate change.
The situation remains tense as both countries navigate the immediate health impacts of the smoke and the broader implications for their relationship and environmental policies.
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Articles
Canada wildfires affect air quality before World Cup final More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, including around 190 in northern Ontario, with the surge in fires largely attributed to climate change. Thick smoke has created hazardous air quality across parts of Canada and several US states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and New York. Donald Trump has blamed Canada for its forest management and threatened additional tariffs. For more, were joined by Akaash Maharaj, Director of Policy at Nature Canada.
france24 · about 3 hours ago
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hvg.hu · about 3 hours ago
🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🔥 US President Donald Trump has threatened a tariff increase on Canada to cover the cost of smoke pollution from wildfires that have choked large parts of the United States ➡️ u.afp.com/Sr5W
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444.hu · about 3 hours ago
Donald Trump blames Canada for smoke pollution More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, including around 190 in northern Ontario, with the surge in fires widely linked to climate change. Thick smoke has created hazardous air quality not only across parts of Canada but also in several US states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and New York. The pollution has raised concerns ahead of Sundays World Cup final at the open-air stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has blamed Canada for its forest management and threatened additional tariffs.
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