By New York Post (Politics) | Created at 2026-07-18 16:41:58 | Updated at 2026-08-03 05:22:44
2 weeks ago
President Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada Friday after the northern neighbor’s raging wildfires caused hazardous air quality from Minnesota to North Carolina.
“We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein,” Trump wrote on Truth Social — as Rep. John James (R-Mich.) and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) push legislation specifying a 25% fee on imports.
“The United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable! I will call the Prime Minister during the day to find out what they are going to do about it. The cost is incalculable!” Trump wrote.
President Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada Friday after the country’s raging wildfires caused hazardous air quality across multiple US states. REUTERS“Canada has refused to engage in basic Forest Management and Debris Removal, knowing that such refusal will lead to exactly this result. This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying.”
The vast majority of the more than 800 wildfires raging across Canada are not contained and burning out of control.
The choking smoke from the fires blanketed Washington, DC, Friday morning, triggering health alerts. The Air Quality Index in the nation’s capital – 248 – was among the three worst in the world Friday, just behind Chicago and Detroit.
Washington DC engulfed in hazardous air Friday as smoke from wildfires blankets the sky. AFP via Getty Images“Thank you, President Trump! Michigan is not Canada’s ashtray,” James wrote on X, in response to the president’s tariff threat. “Canadian wildfires are poisoning our air, sickening our families, and costing Michiganders real money.”
The Michigan Republican indicated that the money collected from the potential tariffs would be used to create a “victim compensation fund and pay for cleanup.”
James was one of four Michigan lawmakers that penned a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week demanding immediate action to protect communities on both sides of the border from the smoke.
“This is the third consecutive year we have had to write to Canadian officials about a crisis that Canada has the tools to prevent and has chosen not to,” Reps. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and James wrote.
“We are done accepting apologies in place of action,” they continued. “If Canada will not manage its forests to prevent these fires, the United States will look elsewhere, and act on our own, to protect our people.”
In addition to tariffs, Moreno separately announced that he would be introducing legislation “to sanction Canada and the responsible Canadian government officials for this atrocity.”
Health officials in cities affected by the smoke have warned residents to stay indoors and limit strenuous outdoor activities, as the pollution can pose serious health risks, particularly those who suffer from respiratory issues.
