WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, more than 100 million Americans were under air quality alerts as wildfire smoke from Canada blanketed parts of the U.S.
Roughly 200 wildfires — that are still burning in Ontario — sent thick clouds of smoke over several states and cities, especially in the Great Lakes region.
“They’re not managing their forests properly,” said President Trump on Tuesday.
The recent smoke from Canadian wildfires prompted criticism from President Donald Trump, who wrote on Truth Social Friday that Canada has refused to engage in “basic forest management and debris removal,” adding that the cost of the pollution must “be added to the tariffs Canada is currently paying.”
“You know, the president is the president. He’s not a guy that’s going to sit back and say, ‘Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.’ I guarantee you he’s going to push for something that’s going to take place and it’s always going to be in the positive interests of the United States of America,” said Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa.
Republicans from Great Lakes states — hit hardest by the smoke — agree that Canada needs to take action.
“I mean, that’s on them. That’s a lack of leadership. A lack of caring,” said Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich.
Parts of Congressman Bergman’s district, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, saw some of the worst air quality in the country.
“Michigan was really affected,” said Trump.
Bergman supports the idea of helping Canada, but only if they foot the bill.
“Would be more than happy them. If they can’t do it, they can pay us, one way or another. But the bottom line is we’d be more than happy to help them manage their self-inflicted issue,” said Bergman.
But just as the smoke began to clear early this week, the president imposed a 50% tariff on the U.S.’s neighbor to the north.
“He’s not even supposed to be the one issuing tariffs anyway. It’s supposed to be Congress,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
The White House says the new tariffs, which target Canadian goods — from wine and hockey sticks to cement and machinery — are in response to Canada’s “discriminatory treatment of American products.”
Democrats call the move illegal — and one that will hurt the economy.
“50 percent’s really going to hurt New Yorkers because they’re putting tariffs on food that we eat, on lumber, on the housing that we’re going to build. The costs will rise for housing and food because of those tariffs,” said Gillibrand.
Now, leaders in Ontario are threatening to fight back.
“He wants to continue threatening and he’s nothing but a bully. That’s all he is. And you have to stand up to the bullies in the schoolyard or they end up taking your lunch money. And we are going to continue fighting like we’ve never fought before,” said Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario.
The new 50% tariffs on Canada take effect 30 days after signing.
