Former President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada, stating the country is not properly maintaining its forests and brush, leading to wildfire smoke that is impacting air quality in U.S. cities. Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday that the U.S. is being "invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable."
He vowed to demand answers from Prime Minister Mark Carney, claiming the "cost is incalculable" and calling the situation "willful negligence." Trump suggested that the cost of this pollution should be added to existing tariffs Canada pays.
Fires in Canada's Ontario province have sent large plumes of smoke across much of the eastern U.S., reaching cities such as Washington, D.C., and New York City. Air quality alerts have been issued in at least 16 states, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating the air as "hazardous" from northern Minnesota to Columbus, Ohio, the agency's most severe rating.
Atmospheric scientist Matthew Cappucci explained that the smoke contains long-lasting compounds like benzene and formaldehyde, which are classified as Group 1 human carcinogens. He noted that the smoke is composed of microscopic particulates known as PM2.5, which are about 30 times thinner than a human hair and can increase the risk of heart attack and respiratory issues. Some residents have reported a burning plastic smell in the air.
Major metropolitan areas including Chicago, Detroit, Washington D.C., and New York City ranked among the world's most polluted cities on Friday due to the smoke.
Trump has previously used tariffs to pressure Canada. Last year, he imposed a 25 percent tariff on most Canadian imports, later increasing it to 35 percent. While these fees were largely rolled back after a Supreme Court ruling, Canada currently pays about 10 percent on most goods imported into the U.S.
Republican supporters of Trump have backed his stance. Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno stated on X, "Americans will not pay the price for the negligence of Canadian leaders."
Meanwhile, thousands of Canadians have been displaced by wildfires across their country, with widespread forest fires disrupting transport and forcing evacuations. A train crew escaped safely after their locomotive was surrounded by a wildfire near Armstrong in Northern Ontario.
