Trump Says Canada Must Pay New Tariffs Over ‘Totally Unacceptable’ Wildfire Smoke

President Donald Trump said Canada should face additional tariffs because of the massive wildfire smoke that has drifted into the United States, calling the recurring pollution “totally unacceptable” and accusing Canadian officials of failing to properly manage their forests.

In a Truth Social post, President Trump said the smoke has caused billions of dollars in economic damage while creating serious health risks for millions of Americans. He argued that the United States should not be forced to bear the consequences of what he described as Canada’s “willful negligence” and said the costs should be reflected in future trade policy.

The president said he intends to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and warned that new tariffs could be imposed if Canada does not take stronger action to prevent future wildfire disasters. While he did not specify the size or timing of the proposed tariffs, he said the issue has become an annual burden on the United States.

More than 800 wildfires have been burning across Canada, with hundreds remaining out of control. Thick smoke has spread across much of the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic, triggering hazardous air quality alerts in major cities including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit, and New York. Health officials have advised residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activity.

Several Republican lawmakers backed President Trump’s position, arguing that Canada should be held accountable for the repeated impact on American communities. Some members of Congress have proposed legislation that would impose a 25% import fee on Canadian goods related to wildfire damages and establish a compensation fund for affected Americans.

The tariff threat adds another point of tension to the already strained U.S.-Canada relationship, with trade, border security, and environmental issues continuing to dominate discussions between the two countries. Canadian officials have not announced any changes to their wildfire response following President Trump’s comments.