2Photo© timesofindia.indiatimes.comTrump threatens to increase Canada tariffs over wildfire smoke pollution
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday (July 17, 2026) an increase of tariff on Canada to cover the cost of smoke pollution from wildfires that have choked large parts of the United States. Dense wildfire smoke billowing down from Canada and northern Minnesota has set off unhealthy air quality alerts across the U.S.
As of Saturday (July 18, 2026), there were 937 active fires in Canada, most of which were burning out of control, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System. "This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars," Mr. Trump said on Truth Social, adding that the "cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying."
Mr. Trump accused Canada of "not properly maintaining" their forests, failing to carry out "basic Forest Management and Debris Removal". He said he would call Prime Minister Mark Carney "to find out what they are going to do about" the smoke.
