Trump Says He Will Raise Tariffs on Canada Over Wildfire Smoke; Authority for New Tariffs Remains Unclear

President Trump said on July 17 he would increase tariffs on Canada because of smoke from wildfires that has reached U.S. cities including New York and Chicago. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Canada of failing to properly maintain its forests and brush.

He said the U.S. is being invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air from Canada and that the cost of this pollution must be added to the tariffs Canada is currently paying. Trump said he would call Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on July 18 to determine what steps Canada plans to take regarding the wildfires and air quality.

The Canadian government reported 888 active wildfires as of July 17, of which at least 122 remained out of control. Health alerts were issued across much of the northeastern United States and Great Lakes region due to the smoke. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was scheduled to meet Trump at Trump Tower in New York on July 17 to discuss potential health effects on the World Cup final set for East Rutherford, New Jersey, the following day.

Senator Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said he would introduce legislation to sanction Canada, accusing the government of failing to invest in wildfire prevention methods. Most Canadian imports to the U.S. -Mexico-Canada agreement.

Canadian-made automobiles, steel, and aluminum are taxed at 25%. The mechanism or authority President Trump would use to impose tariffs on Canada for wildfire smoke is unclear.