US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada following hundreds of wildfires that have blanketed much of the northern United States with hazardous smoke. On Friday, July 17th, 2026, Trump blamed Canada for the smoke spreading from wildfires and said he planned to call Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to inquire about Ottawa's plans to address the blazes.

Trump posted on Truth Social that the US had been “invaded” by dirty air and asserted that the cost of this pollution should be added to the tariffs Canada is currently paying. He accused Canada of "willful negligence" and failing to properly maintain forests and brush.

The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System reported about 888 active fires in Canada, with the majority out of control, including over 190 blazes in Ontario alone. Nearly 3 million hectares of Canadian land have been destroyed by the wildfires. Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted that 10 communities have evacuated, with many residents seeking refuge in southern Ontario cities.

US Republicans have escalated the response, with Ohio GOP Senator Bernie Moreno announcing plans to introduce a bill to sanction Canada and responsible Canadian officials for what he called an "atrocity." Four Republican House members representing Michigan warned Prime Minister Carney that if Canada does not manage its forests to prevent fires, the US would take independent action to protect its citizens.

The smoke has severely impacted air quality in US cities such as Detroit and Chicago. On July 17th, Detroit's air quality was rated the worst globally by Swiss tracker IQAir, with Chicago, Washington DC, and New York also among the most affected. Residents in these areas were advised to stay indoors and limit physical activity as the air quality index reached hazardous levels.

Premier Doug Ford urged the US to send support to fight the fires instead of complaints, highlighting past mutual aid between the two countries.

Wildfires are also burning across northern US states including Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, contributing to the smoke affecting both countries.

Sources