Trump threatens Canada tariffs over wildfire smoke

United States President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada, blaming the country's handling of wildfires for smoke that has blanketed cities across North America.

Trump complained about worsening air quality in a social media post, as Canadian officials continued battling 896 active blazes nationwide. Roughly 200 fires are burning in Ontario, where Premier Doug Ford said 81 remain out of control, reports Al Jazeera.

''We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush,'' Trump wrote, calling the smoke ''filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air'' that was ''totally unacceptable.''

He pledged to call Prime Minister Mark Carney, accusing Ottawa of negligence, and said the costs would be added to existing tariffs on Canadian exports.

The remarks mark Trump’s latest use of tariff threats to pressure foreign governments. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, he has escalated demands on Canada over border security and trade practices, even urging the country to become the ''51st state.''

Scientists attribute the surge in wildfires to hot, dry conditions worsened by climate change. But Trump has repeatedly blamed political leaders for mismanagement, attacking California Governor Gavin Newsom during blazes in Los Angeles last year and reviving claims that forest floors should be ''raked'' to prevent fires.

Ontario saw its largest fire of the year in mid-July, when several blazes merged in Wabakimi Provincial Park, destroying First Nations communities and forcing evacuations in 10 areas.

Ford thanked Canadian and US partners for support, saying ''Neighbours have each other’s backs.''

Republicans including Michigan Representative Bill Huizenga echoed Trump's criticism, accusing Canada of failing to mitigate annual fires.

Trump reiterated that debris removal could have prevented the blazes, calling Canada's approach ''Willful Negligence'' and warning of billions in costs to the US.

The smoke has raised concerns about hosting the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey this weekend. Meanwhile, Trump's administration has faced scrutiny for cutting wildfire research funding, including labs studying smoke impacts on human health.