Trump’s dumb idea to tariff Canada over smoke could set a useful precedent

President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion of imposing tariffs on Canada over cross-border wildfire smoke is certainly a controversial idea, but it could inadvertently set a useful precedent for tackling climate change. While the proposal is widely dismissed as impractical, the underlying principle—holding countries accountable for pollution that drifts across borders—might pave the way for more serious environmental regulations in the auto industry. For car buyers in Saudi Arabia, this concept could eventually reshape how vehicles are built and sold in the region.

If such a precedent takes hold, automakers would face pressure to reduce emissions not just domestically but wherever their products are sold. This could accelerate the shift toward cleaner technology in markets like Saudi Arabia, where large SUVs