Canada wildfires are driving a new clash between Washington and Ottawa after President Donald Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday to get the blazes under control. The two leaders were at the World Cup Final in New Jersey when Trump raised the issue, saying smoke from the fires has been poisoning the air in the United States.
Trump said the United States would help if it could, but also suggested Canada might owe damages. His remarks came after he threatened last week to impose new tariffs on Canada over what he described as the costly impact of smoke drifting into the United States. He posted that warning on social media on Friday as thick smoke hung over Washington, D.C., and New York City.
The Canada wildfires are already widespread. More than 900 fires are burning across the country, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes, destroying houses and scorching about 28,000 square kilometers of land. In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford said about 1,800 people have been evacuated. He also criticized Trump’s tariff threats, saying the president should be helping close allies instead of adding pressure. Ford said Canada has helped the United States during disasters such as Hurricane Helene and California wildfires.
