safety
Trump says he’s holding Canada responsible for wildfire smoke and threatens higher tariffs
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 17, 2026
· 2 min read
By Molly English, CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump said Friday he’s holding Canada responsible for wildfire smoke hovering over much of the Midwestern and eastern United States and vowed to call Prime Minister Mark Carney, suggesting that the “cost of this pollution” could be added to tariffs...
Key takeaway More than 100 million people in 18 states and the District of Columbia are under air quality alerts.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso residents may be far from the wildfire smoke affecting the Midwest and eastern United States, but the potential escalation of tariffs with Canada could have local implications. As a major border city, El Paso's economy is closely tied to international trade, and any changes to tariffs could impact the flow of goods and commerce across the border. With the Trump administration already committed to increasing tariffs, El Paso businesses and consumers may face higher costs for Canadian imports, which could trickle down to local prices. Furthermore, the city's role as a key trade hub makes it vulnerable to disruptions in the global supply chain, making it essential to monitor the developments in US-Canada trade relations and their potential effects on the local economy. The fate of the USMCA trade pact, which has protected many goods from tariffs, will be particularly important to watch in the coming months.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Molly English, CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump said Friday he’s holding Canada responsible for wildfire smoke hovering over much of the Midwestern and eastern United States and vowed to call Prime Minister Mark Carney, suggesting that the “cost of this pollution” could be added to tariffs...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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