Trump threatens higher tariffs on Canada over US wildfire smoke pollution

US President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Canada, saying the extra duties could offset the cost of wildfire smoke drifting into the United States. In a Truth Social post on July 18, 2026, he blamed Canada for "willful negligence" in managing its forests, citing 937 active wildfires reported by the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System as of Saturday, July 17, and claimed the smoke costs the US billions of dollars. Trump said he plans to contact Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss the issue.

Canada’s Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski replied that both countries remain in close communication and noted Canada has committed about $12 billion since 2020 to forest‑sustainability and wildfire‑prevention programs. Smoke from the fires has pushed air quality to hazardous levels: Detroit was ranked the world’s most polluted city on Friday by IQAir, while Washington, D.C. and Chicago also recorded high pollution. Health officials urged residents in affected areas to limit unnecessary outdoor activities.

The upcoming World Cup final in an open‑air stadium in New Jersey could be affected; officials in New York and New Jersey reported some improvement compared with Thursday’s haze, but the National Weather Service warned smoke levels might rise again overnight into Saturday morning. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, said organizers are monitoring the situation.

With air‑quality alerts in Detroit, DC, and Chicago and a possible tariff hike on Canadian goods, will you limit outdoor activities today or consider investing in an air purifier for your home?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/07/18/trump-threatens-tariff-hike-on-canada-over-wildfire-smoke-pollution/