Vance defends Canada trade war in visit to Maine; Collins skips rally

BREWER, Maine — Vice President Vance rallied Republicans in Maine on Monday, defending the escalating trade war with Canada that has drawn criticism from Sen. Susan Collins (R), who skipped the event.

Collins previously said she was already “scheduled” Monday, but she has been the loudest voice in the Republican Party so far against the tit-for-tat tariffs with Canada, warning they will hurt Maine industries and consumers.

Vance forcefully defended the U.S. trade war with its northern neighbor during his remarks Monday, arguing that Maine was getting a raw deal from Canada under the status quo.

“I think that we need to send a message loud and clear to the prime minister of Canada: Stop taking advantage of the people of Maine. Stop taking advantage of America. It’s over, we expect fairness in our trade policy,” Vance said.

At one point, Vance referred to Canada as a state, an apparently accidental allusion to President Trump’s frequent suggestion that Canada should cede its independence and become America’s 51st state.

“Canada is a state … Freudian slip. That was actually an accident, an accident,” Vance said.

The vice president was responding to questions from reporters just hours after Trump threatened another wave of tariffs in January on Canadian automobiles and steel.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ended talks Friday just hours before 50 percent U.S. tariffs took effect on a range of products. He has since promised tit-for-tat retaliatory tariffs in a defiant stance with broad backing across the country’s political spectrum.

Collins on Saturday encouraged both sides to return to the negotiating table.

“The Administration must consider the negative impact tariffs would have on Maine businesses, communities, and families and work to reach a fair agreement with our Canadian neighbors,” she wrote on social platform X , reiterating her concerns to reporters Monday .

Vance took a friendly jab at Collins, but he mostly heaped praise on the senator, whose race against Democrat Troy Jackson is seen as key to the GOP maintaining control of the Senate.

“Whenever I’m in Maine, I’ve got to give Susan a little bit of crap because, as you know, Susan is the most independent member of the United States Senate,” noting that in his role as president of the Senate “she sometimes makes my job just a little bit harder.”

However, Vance said Collins has been over to his home at the vice president’s residence at least half a dozen times during the second Trump administration.

“I have never seen a person who is more attuned to the details of every single thing,” Vance said. “She does an amazing job, so please give it up to our very independent friend, Susan Collins.”

Vance also forcefully voiced his support for former Gov. Paul LePage (R), who is running for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, a seat being vacated by Rep. Jared Golden (D).

“If we’re going to fight for Maine, we’ve got to fight for Paul LePage,” Vance said.

The district is considered a potential pickup opportunity for Republicans in their battle to maintain their hold on the House.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as “lean Republican.” LePage, who was in attendance at the event, will face off against Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap (D) in November.

The event marks the second time Vance has been to Maine in recent months. In May, Vance visited Bangor to discuss the administration’s efforts to combat fraud.

On Friday, Vance campaigned in his hometown of Middletown in battleground Ohio, which is also home to a high-stakes Senate and House races.