BREWER, Maine — Vice President JD Vance said Monday that the Trump administration believes that Maine and the rest of the country are being treated unfairly by the Canadians in tariff negotiations.
During an event to promote local businesses and Republican candidates, Vance said Canada and China are the most difficult countries when it comes to fair trade.
“We need to send a message loud and clear to the prime minister of Canada stop taking advantage of the people of Maine,” Vance said. “Stop taking advantage of the people of America. It’s over. We expect fairness in our trade policy.”
Over the weekend, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he walked away from a “bad deal” but that compromise between the countries is still possible.
Asked about the Trump administration escalating a trade war with Canada when Maine depends so heavily on cross-border trade, the vice president said, “Canada is a state” but then added, “Sorry. Freudian slip.”
As the crowd laughed and hooted, Vance added, “That was actually an accident.”
He likened Canada to China in what he called unfair trade practices, saying that “Canada allows itself to be a backdoor for Chinese goods” that eventually are imported into the U.S.
Vance said negotiations between Canada and the U.S. were ongoing and that he thought there’d have been an agreement easing trade disputes by now — but Canada had made “unreasonable” demands.
The answer to a question on tariffs came during a visit to Compotech, a Brewer company that he described as the “fastest growing manufacturer in the state of Maine.” The company works in the defense industry and supplies materials to keep troops safe.
Vance highlighted the company as an American success story that’s been helped by tax cuts and other policies from the Trump administration.
RALLYING FOR GOP CANDIDATES
The event also served as a rally for Republicans running for office this fall, including former Gov. Paul LePage, who is seeking to represent the 2nd Congressional District in a race against Democratic State Auditor Matt Dunlap.
Vance also praised Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is facing former Senate President Troy Jackson on Nov. 3.
Republicans at a manufacturing facility in Brewer listen to remarks Monday by Vice President JD Vance. (Spectrum News/Susan Cover)
“Whenever I’m in Maine, I got to give Susan a little bit of crap,” Vance told the crowd as he began his remarks. “Because as you know, Susan is the most independent member of the United States Senate, and as the president of the United States Senate, she sometimes makes my job just a little bit harder.”
Vance said Collins has visited the vice president’s residence about a half-dozen times. In those meetings, Vance said, Collins is constantly pressing him about how certain policies affect her state.
In response to praise for Collins, who is seeking a sixth term, the Maine Democratic Party highlighted Collins’ record of voting frequently in support of Trump administration priorities.
“Donald Trump and JD Vance’s failing agenda has made life harder for Mainers, and Susan Collins has been with them the whole way, as she voted with them 96% of the time,” party spokesman Misha Linnehan said. “It’s no wonder J.D. Vance thinks his ‘dear friend’ is doing an ‘amazing job’.’”
Just three months ago, Vance came to Bangor to criticize Maine for what he called “a festering problem” with Medicaid fraud.
Since then, two other high-profile Republicans — House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright — have attended events in Maine.
In a statement, the Republican State Leadership Committee described Vance’s visit to Brewer as a way to highlight the importance of accountability in government.
“Instead of delivering results, Democrats have doubled down on failed policies while Republicans have consistently exposed the waste, fraud, and abuse that have become hallmarks of Democrat governance,” committee spokesperson Holden Sczerba said. “It’s time to end the status quo and restore accountability to the State House.”
Vance began his remarks saying that his appearance in Maine was meant to send a signal that they are standing up for workers.
“I am sick of towns like Brewer falling behind, I want towns like Brewer to get ahead,” he said. “I want Brewer to thrive. We want great manufacturers.”
With reporting from the Associated Press.