World Cup: Informal talks between White House and FIFA over Canada wildfire smoke

American cities from Detroit to Washington are enveloped in smoke from wildfires raging across Canada, triggering pollution alerts and posing risks to public health. The thick haze, combined with intense heatwaves across the United States, has led authorities to issue warnings advising people to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and wear masks.

President Donald Trump has strongly criticized Canada's response, accusing it of "deliberate negligence" in maintaining its forests. He threatened to impose additional costs on Canada, to be added to existing tariffs, to cover the damages caused by the fires impacting the U.S. "We consider Canada responsible for the failure to maintain its forests and vegetation," Trump stated, adding that this situation is causing an "unjustified invasion" of the U.S. by "dirty, polluted, and unhealthy air."

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We consider Canada responsible for the failure to maintain its forests and vegetation. This is causing an unjustified invasion of the United States by dirty, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous and absolutely unacceptable!

Informal discussions are reportedly underway between White House officials, including the head of the World Cup task force Andrew Giuliani, and FIFA representatives. These meetings aim to assess the potential impact of the severe air quality on the World Cup final scheduled for Sunday between Argentina and Spain in New Jersey. The match is expected to be attended by President Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

According to global air quality indices, pollution levels in five major North American cities have surpassed those typically found in cities like Kinshasa and Nairobi. The smoke is expected to continue moving south, affecting areas as far as South Carolina. Over 109 million people in the U.S. are anticipated to experience unhealthy air quality for at least the next 72 hours.

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The costs are incalculable!