Trump threatens Canada tariffs over wildfire smoke affecting US
17 reported3 unconfirmed
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada after hundreds of wildfires have left much of the northern US choked by a blanket of smoke. The threat follows complaints by US lawmakers over the wildfires and Ontario Premier Doug Ford asking the US to send support to fight the fires. Trump said in a post to Truth Social that he would call Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to demand an explanation over Canada’s “willful negligence,” accusing the country of “not properly maintaining” their forests and brush. Canada has not responded to the threat, but Carney earlier noted that it was the responsibility of both countries to fight climate change. As of Friday, there were about 888 fires actively burning in Canada, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, with the majority burning out of control. The impacts have been far-reaching, with a thick blanket of smoke spreading across US states from Minnesota and Michigan to Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Hazardous air quality alerts have been issued across much of the region, leading to the cancellation of many outdoor events.
What’s reported
Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke affecting the US.
As of Friday, about 888 fires were actively burning in Canada, with the majority out of control.
More than 190 of those blazes are burning in Ontario, some out of control.
Nearly 3 million hectares of land in Canada has been destroyed by the wildfires.
Air quality in Detroit was worst in the world, followed by Chicago, Washington DC, and New York in seventh place, according to IQAir.
US lawmakers John James, John Moolenaar, Jack Bergman and Lisa McClain said their “patience has run out” in an open letter to Canadian officials.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Canada has helped the US battle wildfires in California and respond to hurricanes in North Carolina.
Ford said more than 150 fire crews are on the ground, along with over 80 water bombers and helicopters.
Ford said his government has spent more than a billion dollars on wild land fire since 2018.
A large cluster of fires affecting northwestern Ontario is responsible for sending thick plumes of smoke into the US.
Thick haze blocked views across New York City and Washington DC.
Outdoor activities were cancelled across northern US, including summertime camps and concerts.
Concerns were raised about Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
White House officials, including Andrew Giuliani, are holding informal meetings with Fifa officials monitoring the wildfires.
Wildfires in northern Ontario forced dozens from local First Nations communities to evacuate.
Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Chief Helen Paavola said her community has been “burnt to ashes.”
Ford said 10 communities have had to evacuate, with many seeking refuge in southern Ontario cities.
Open questions
Whether Trump will follow through on the tariff threat.
Whether Canada will respond to the threat.
Whether conditions will improve before the World Cup final.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
Ontario Premier Doug Ford
US lawmakers John James, John Moolenaar, Jack Bergman, Lisa McClain
Dr Patrick James from the University of Toronto
Dr Anabela Bonada from the University of Waterloo
Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Chief Helen Paavola
Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House’s World Cup task force
Sources: BBC News
