Trump stated that he would seek compensation from Canada for forest fires

American President Donald Trump stated that in a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney he demanded more active measures to take control of the situation with forest fires in the country, the smoke from which had previously enveloped a number of major U.S. cities.

American leader also did not rule out that he would seek compensation payments from Ottawa.

"I told him: 'You should stop the spread of these fires that are poisoning our air. Our air is poisoned,'" the American leader said on July 19, answering journalists' questions at Andrews military base near Washington about his conversation with Carney. "We need to stop these fires. If we can help them (Canada - TASS note), we will help," Trump added. "But maybe they should pay us some compensation or something like that. Or maybe we should introduce some duties," he emphasized.

Trump on July 17 threatened Canada with increased customs duties due to the situation with forest fires, the smoke from which in recent days periodically enveloped a number of major American cities, including Washington, New York (New York state), Detroit (Michigan state) and Chicago (Illinois state). As Trump then emphasized, the Washington administration "considers Canada responsible for the fact that it does not properly maintain its forests." According to him, because of this "disgusting, dirty and harmful air penetrates into the U.S. without any need."

According to the latest data from Canadian authorities, there are approximately 950 forest fires in the country, about 130 of which have not yet been brought under control.

Source: TASS