Trump threatens new tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke, Ford tells Republicans to 'stop chirping'

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Friday to add more tariffs on Canada over what he described as "willful negligence" to prevent wildfires that have blanketed much of Ontario and some northern U.S. states with smoke.

"We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air," Trump wrote in a social media post. He said he would call Prime Minister Mark Carney to find out what Canada plans to do about it. "The cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying," he added.

Trump's comments come after four U.S. Republicans called for sanctions against Canada over its handling of wildfires. Republican Congressman John James, representing a district north of Detroit, posted a "final warning" urging Canada to "manage your forests to prevent these fires."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded Friday, telling reporters: "There's some politicians out there chirping away, well maybe what you should do rather than complain, is send support, send help, because we have done the exact same thing for our American friends." Ford said crews are battling nearly 200 active fires across the province, half of which have been deemed "out of control."