US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada over smoke from wildfires that has blanketed much of the northeastern US just days before the World Cup final in New Jersey.
Trump accused Canada on Friday of failing to manage its forests and allowing "dirty, polluted, unhealthy air" to cross the border.
"We hold Canada accountable for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their forests and bushland," Trump wrote on Social Truth, claiming that pollution is costing the US billions of dollars.
“This is Demonstrable Negligence and is becoming an annual occurrence,” he added, arguing that the cost “necessarily needs to be added to the TARIFF that Canada is currently paying.” Trump said he plans to call Prime Minister Mark Carney to ask what Ottawa intends to do about the fires.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford previously dismissed criticism from American politicians, citing Canadian aid during the fires and hurricanes in America. “Maybe what you need to do, instead of complaining, is send support, send help,” he said.
Wildfire activity in Canada intensified in late June due to hot, dry conditions, with several large fires in northwestern Ontario expanding significantly this week. Smoke from nearly 900 active fires reached New York City on Wednesday, pushing the Air Quality Index above 200 (classified as 'very unhealthy') in some areas by Thursday evening.
Air quality alerts remained in effect throughout New York City, Long Island and parts of northern New Jersey through Saturday, including Bergen County, home to MetLife Stadium. Officials warned that fine particulate pollution could reach unhealthy levels and urged residents — especially children and people with heart or respiratory problems — to limit outdoor activity, stay indoors whenever possible and wear an N95 or KN95 mask outdoors.
This comes just days before Argentina and Spain play in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. About 80,000 people are expected to attend.
