Skip to content

Trump threatens tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke

scienceJul 18, 202633630

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social July 17 that the United States is being "unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air" and threatened to add the cost of Canadian wildfire smoke to tariffs Canada currently pays. Trump said he would call Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and blamed the smoke on "willful negligence" and inadequate forest management. The Canadian government reports more than 900 wildfires, including about 120 burning out of control and more than a dozen near the U.S. borders with Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine; Ontario has widespread evacuations and homes under threat. Smoke from the blazes has caused record-breaking poor air quality in U.S. cities from Minnesota to New York. Four Republican lawmakers from Michigan sent a July 15 letter urging action and warned the U.S. could take direct cross-border fuel reduction or firefighting steps; Ohio Rep. Bernie Moreno said he plans to introduce a House bill to declare an emergency, sanction the Canadian government, and revoke visas. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters July 16 that "climate change is the responsibility of everyone, including the United States," and Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted his province has repeatedly helped the U.S. with wildfires while urging mutual support. The immediate fallout includes the tariff threat, proposed congressional measures, and continued cross-border scrutiny of firefighting and forest management cooperation.

3 sources