By Tom Howell, Jr. (The Washington Times)
President Trump is threatening to raise the tariff level on Canadian goods due to the burden of smoky air that is wafting into the U.S. from wildfires in Ontario.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. is “being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air,” and he will demand an explanation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“I will call the Prime Minister during the day to find out what they are going to do about it. The cost is incalculable!” Mr. Trump wrote Friday social media.
The Canadian government this month reported hundreds of wildfires, with dry conditions in northern Ontario contributing to some of the worst.
The smoke is drifting southward and blanketing major American cities such as Detroit, Cleveland and New York City, resulting in hazy and eerie landscapes.
Mr. Trump accused Canada of ignoring “basic forest management and debris removal,” echoing Republican lawmakers from impacted areas who said Canada should be held accountable.
Scientists also blame climate change for the increasing wildfires and smoke phenomenon in the U.S., saying warmer, drier conditions will inevitably lead to more combustion.
Natural Resources officials in Canada are urging residents to be cautious about their forest habits, hoping to avoid new fires, and they recently announced six projects worth $1.25 million to strengthen their wildfire preparedness and response.
Mr. Trump imposed a 10% global tariff on imported goods, but it is unclear how he planned to impose bigger levies on Canada over the fires.
The Supreme Court struck down his ability to easily raise or decrease tariffs on individual nations under a 1977 economic-powers law.
Instead, Mr. Trump is relying on authorities that allow him to target specific product sectors after conducting investigations into national security concerns or unfair trade practices.
Eleanor Olszewksi, minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, issued a statement Friday that did not address Mr. Trump directly but pointed to a long history of U.S.-Canada cooperation in fighting forest fires on both sides of the border.
She said warmer, drier air is increasing the risk of fires and that Canada has invested $12 billion in forest sustainability and fire prevention since 2020.
“This is a challenge that knows no borders, and Canada is working with speed, collaboration and coordination to keep people safe,” she said.
This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.
