"The White House did not respond to questions about what legal mechanism he would use to impose the tariffs or how the administration would calculate the rate of the levies."
"President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose tariffs on Canada in retaliation for wildfire smoke, but it was not clear that he has the legal authority to impose such a levy.
“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, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!” he wrote on Truth Social.
The White House did not specify what law Trump would use to implement the tariffs. Spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement that the president has “numerous tariff powers at his disposal” and is committed to leveraging them. He did not respond to a question about how the administration would calculate the tariff rate, after Trump called the cost of the pollution “incalculable.”"
Cat Zakrzewski reports for the Washington Post July 17, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"Trump Threatens Canada Over Wildfire Smoke Choking U.S. Cities" (E&E News)
