Trump says Canada 'poisoned' U.S. air with wildfires, hints at tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Canada of allowing smoke from its wildfires to poison American air, suggesting that Canada should pay damages or face new tariffs. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on July 19 after attending the World Cup Final in New Jersey, Trump said he told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the match that Canada must stop the fires and that the U.S. might help, but Canada should provide compensation. Trump also posted on social media on July 17 describing the situation as willful negligence costing billions of dollars, which should be added to existing tariffs on Canadian goods.

The wildfires, which began in mid-June, have produced smoke that has spread from Canada's Ontario province into the U.S. Midwest and Northeast, affecting over 100 million Americans across 14 states, according to CBS. Air quality alerts have been issued in states including Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio, with some businesses in Michigan forced to close. New York state warned residents to take precautions, and experts have raised concerns about air quality at the World Cup Final held on July 19 in New Jersey, which drew over 80,000 spectators.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford rejected Trump's criticism, stating that Ontario is actively fighting 191 active fires and noted that Canada has previously helped the U.S. during disasters. He suggested that the U.S. should lift tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber to allow Canada to clear forests and reduce fire risks. Prime Minister Carney, responding to U.S. criticism on July 16, attributed the fires to climate change, stressing shared responsibility and contrasting Canada's investment in clean energy with U.S. policies moving away from clean energy.

The U.S. has imposed tariffs of 25% on Canadian steel and aluminum, 10% on softwood lumber, and a 12.5% forced labor-related tariff, and the Trump administration declined to renew the USMCA. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin expressed concern about the fires. As of July 18, the U.S. National Weather Service predicted rain could improve conditions, but thick smoke may persist through the weekend.