U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose higher tariffs on Canadian goods, blaming Canada for the thick wildfire smoke that has drifted into several major American cities and raised concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Canada of failing to properly manage its forests, describing the smoke crossing the border as “filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air.” He said the cost of dealing with the pollution should be added to existing tariffs on Canadian imports and vowed to raise the issue directly with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The smoke, caused by hundreds of active wildfires across Canada, has triggered air quality alerts across parts of the Midwest and Northeast, with health officials advising residents to limit outdoor activities. Cities including New York, Washington, Chicago and Detroit have experienced hazardous or unhealthy air conditions in recent days.
The worsening air quality has also drawn attention from FIFA ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Tournament organisers confirmed they are closely monitoring weather and air quality forecasts to determine whether conditions remain safe for players, officials and supporters. While the match is still expected to go ahead as planned, officials continue to assess changing smoke levels and weather conditions.
Canadian officials have pushed back against Trump’s criticism, pointing to billions of dollars invested in wildfire prevention and forest management. They also stressed that climate change has made wildfire seasons increasingly severe across North America, affecting both Canada and the United States.
The latest dispute adds another layer of tension to U.S.-Canada relations as both countries continue battling one of the region’s most destructive wildfire seasons in recent years.
