US President Donald Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Canadian imports, arguing that Canada should bear the cost of the wildfire smoke that has spread across large parts of the United States.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Canada of failing to manage its forests properly and said the economic damage caused by the smoke in the United States should be reflected in higher tariffs.
He also disclosed that he intends to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney about the issue.
Canada quickly rejected the criticism. Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said both countries remain in constant contact and have a long history of cooperating on wildfire prevention and response.
She added that Canada has invested about $12 billion in forest sustainability and wildfire prevention measures since 2020.
As of Saturday, July 18, Canada was battling 937 active wildfires, with the majority reported to be burning out of control.
The smoke from the fires has triggered widespread air quality alerts across the United States. Cities including Detroit, Washington and Chicago have experienced some of the worst air pollution levels globally in recent days.
Authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activities, while free face masks have been distributed in parts of New York and New Jersey.
The deteriorating air quality has also raised concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup final scheduled to be played in New Jersey, although forecasters expect conditions to improve before kickoff.
Health experts warned that wildfire smoke contains fine particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and causing serious health problems, particularly for children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions.
Scientists have also linked the increasingly severe wildfire seasons to climate change, noting that hotter temperatures and drier conditions allow fires to spread more rapidly and burn for longer periods.
Firefighters continue to battle dozens of blazes across Canada, especially in Ontario, where remote communities have been evacuated.
In neighbouring Minnesota, emergency crews are also dealing with multiple active wildfires, with forecasts of strong winds and thunderstorms threatening to complicate firefighting operations further.
