WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said he urged Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to take stronger action against the wildfires spreading across Canada, arguing that smoke drifting into the United States has significantly affected air quality and disrupted daily life in several states.
The two leaders discussed the issue while attending the FIFA World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Trump said he stressed the need to contain the fires and reduce the impact of smoke crossing the border.
Speaking to reporters afterward at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said the United States is prepared to assist Canada if needed but suggested Ottawa should also be held financially accountable for the effects of the wildfire smoke on American communities. He again floated the possibility of tariffs or compensation if the situation continues.
Wildfire smoke has triggered air quality alerts across several northern US states, including Michigan, prompting temporary closures of parks, beaches and other public facilities. Reports also indicated that smoke exposure affected workers at industrial sites in the region.
Trump had previously criticized Canada’s forest management policies on social media, accusing the country of failing to adequately control recurring wildfire outbreaks and claiming the resulting pollution has imposed economic and public health costs on the United States.
Canadian officials pushed back against the remarks. Ontario Premier Doug Ford described Trump’s comments as disappointing and called for greater cooperation rather than criticism. Ford urged the United States to provide additional firefighting support, noting that Canada has assisted its southern neighbour during previous natural disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires.
The exchange highlights growing tensions between the two countries over the environmental and economic consequences of increasingly severe wildfire seasons.
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