President Donald Trump is warning that he might impose tariffs on Canada due to the record levels of hazardous air coming into the U. S. from numerous wildfires burning in the north.
“The United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!” Trump stated in a July 17 post on Truth Social.
He mentioned that he would be reaching out to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss what his country plans to do about the smoke problem, which he blamed on poor forest management in Canada.
More: Michigan air quality expected to improve Saturday: Hour-by-hour forecast
“This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying,” Trump wrote.
Currently, there are over 900 wildfires in Canada, with 120 of them burning uncontrollably and more than a dozen near Canada’s border with Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine, according to information from the Canadian government. Ontario has faced significant challenges as evacuations have occurred and many homes are at risk.
Smoke from these fires has been affecting cities across America from Minnesota to New York for several days now, leading to sometimes alarming levels of poor air quality.
Carney’s press office did not immediately reply to USA TODAY’s request for comments regarding Trump’s tariff threat or accusations about forest mismanagement. However, on July 16, Carney told reporters that “climate change is the responsibility of everyone, including the United States.”
He made this statement when asked about a letter sent by four Republican lawmakers from Michigan concerning the smoke issue.
“Our hospitals are once again treating children, dialysis patients, and older residents for the effects of smoke that did not originate anywhere near them,” stated a letter dated July 15. “This is the third consecutive year we have had to write to Canadian officials about a crisis that Canada has the tools to prevent and has chosen not to.”
“Nothing has changed except that our patience has run out,” continued the letter. “We are done accepting apologies in place of action. If Canada will not manage its forests to prevent these fires, the United States will look elsewhere and act on our own to protect our people.”
The lawmakers indicated this could involve “exploring direct involvement in cross-border fuel reduction and firefighting capacity” as well as “reconsidering how much benefit of the doubt this relationship continues to earn on an issue where American lungs are paying the price for Canadian inaction year after year.”
U. S. Sen. Bernie Moreno from Ohio announced plans to introduce legislation in Congress on Monday aimed at declaring an emergency status regarding this matter while also sanctioning Canada’s government and revoking visas due to smoke concerns.
Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier, remarked on July 17 − before Trump’s tariff warning − that his province has consistently supported U. S. efforts during wildfires.
“I truly believe Americans are good neighbors,” he said. “If there’re some politicians out there chirping away well maybe what you should do rather than complain is send support send help because we have done exactly that for our American friends.”
The Canadian governmentstated on its wildfire page last Friday that “heavy smoke” is expected over upcoming days.
“Diplomatic engagement is being coordinated at time writing discuss wildfire situation impact wildfire smoke U. S states,” government noted.
Amanda Lee Myers senior crime reporter who covers death penalty cold cases breaking news USA TODAY Follow her X @ amandaleeusat.
This article originally appeared USA TODAY Trump threatens Canada tariffs wildfire smoke ‘ Unacceptable! ‘
Source link
Source link
