In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Canada of failing to adequately manage its forests and suggested that the consequences of the ongoing wildfires should be reflected in trade measures.
The US president also disclosed plans to discuss the matter with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
"Canada should be paying the price for the smoke pouring into the United States," Trump suggested, linking the issue to his administration's trade policy stance.
Canadian officials swiftly rejected the criticism. Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski said Canada and the United States have maintained close cooperation in responding to wildfires and other cross-border emergencies.
She noted that Canada has invested approximately $12 billion in forest sustainability and wildfire prevention programmes since 2020 and stressed that both countries continue to work together to combat the growing threat posed by wildfires.
As of Saturday, July 18, Canada was battling 937 active wildfires, with the majority classified as out of control.
The resulting smoke has triggered air quality alerts across several major US cities, including Detroit, Washington and Chicago, where pollution levels have ranked among the highest in the world in recent days.
Health authorities have advised residents to reduce outdoor activities, while free protective face masks have been distributed in parts of New York and New Jersey to help limit exposure to harmful airborne particles.
The deteriorating air quality has also raised concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup final scheduled to take place in New Jersey. However, weather forecasters expect conditions to improve before the match kicks off.
Health experts have warned that wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs, potentially causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. They also noted that the smoke can become more toxic as it travels through the atmosphere.
Scientists continue to point to climate change as a major factor behind increasingly intense and prolonged wildfire seasons, citing rising temperatures, drought conditions and changing weather patterns.
Meanwhile, firefighters remain engaged in efforts to contain dozens of active blazes across Canada, particularly in Ontario, where several remote communities have been evacuated. Emergency crews in neighbouring Minnesota are also battling multiple wildfires as strong winds and thunderstorms threaten to complicate containment efforts.
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