The Trump administration Environmental Protection Agency has argued that certain U.S. cities should not face penalties for poor air quality because pollution originates from foreign sources, particularly Asia.

The EPA's position specifically mentions Phoenix and Salt Lake City as examples of areas where air quality problems may stem from pollution that travels across international borders rather than local sources.

The administration contends that these cities should not be subject to regulatory penalties when air quality violations result from pollution generated outside U.S. borders and carried by atmospheric currents.

However, some environmental experts have disputed this reasoning, characterizing the administration's argument as lacking scientific merit. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over how to attribute responsibility for air quality violations in an interconnected global atmosphere.

The EPA's stance represents a departure from traditional approaches to air quality enforcement, which typically hold local jurisdictions accountable for meeting federal air quality standards regardless of pollution sources.