‘Willful negligence’: Trump threatens Canada with new tariffs over wildfire smoke choking US

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, July 17, threatened to impose additional tariff-related costs on Canada, accusing the country of failing to properly manage its forests as smoke from hundreds of active wildfires spread across large parts of the United States.

The remarks came as air quality alerts remained in effect across parts of the Midwest and East Coast. Trump said he would speak with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and suggested the cost of the pollution should be added to existing tariffs on Canadian goods.

Trump links wildfire smoke to trade dispute with Canada

Trump argued that the US was being affected by pollution originating from Canadian wildfires and accused Ottawa of failing to take adequate preventative measures.

“We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!” the 80-year-old wrote.

Trump said he would contact Carney to discuss the situation and claimed the recurring smoke crisis was imposing significant costs on the US. “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,” the president added.

The comments come against the backdrop of broader trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa. Trump has repeatedly criticized Canada over issues including lumber exports, manufacturing jobs and trade practices, while his administration has maintained tariffs on several Canadian imports.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there were nearly 900 active wildfires across Canada as of Friday, with Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories among the regions experiencing the highest levels of fire activity.

Canadian officials reject criticism as lawmakers weigh responses

Canadian officials pushed back against the allegations, with Carney emphasizing that climate-related challenges require international cooperation. “Fighting climate change is the responsibility of all countries, including the United States,” he said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford also rejected suggestions that Canadian authorities were not doing enough to combat the fires. He pointed to the deployment of firefighters, aircraft and emergency resources across affected regions and argued that Canada had previously provided assistance to the US during natural disasters.

“Maybe what you should do rather than complain is send support, send help, because we have done the exact same thing for our American friends,” Ford said.

A group of Michigan House Republicans argued that Canadian authorities had failed to adequately address issues such as forest management and fuel reduction measures. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno also said he planned to introduce legislation imposing sanctions on Canada and Canadian officials over the wildfire situation.

Meanwhile, air quality alerts remained in effect across several US states as forecasters warned that smoke could continue affecting American cities until the fires are brought under control.