Vance claims Canadian dairy enters Maine at 0% tariffs while Maine dairy faces 250% tariffs.
“If you buy dairy, cheese, butter, milk that comes from Canada into Maine, you probably are buying a product that has 0% tariffs on it.”
Vance says Canada made unreasonable last-minute demands despite him thinking deal was reached.
“And what happened at the very end is they came in with a bunch of unreasonable last minute demands. I frankly thought we had a deal.”
Vance declares Canada and China the two worst countries for trade policy anywhere in the world.
“Canada and China have been the two worst countries when it come to trade policy anywhere in the world.”
Vance accuses Canada of applying ridiculous tariffs on Maine products without expecting retaliation.
“They apply ridiculous tariffs and other non tariff duties on Maine products coming into to Canada, and they don't expect Maine or anybody else to fight back, we're sick of that.”
Vance argues Canada would be invaded without U.S. military protection due to its underinvestment.
“Canada is a country that has underinvested in its military that quite literally would get invaded by a foreign country were it not for the umbrella of protection provided by The United States Of America.”
Vance accuses Canada of serving as a backdoor for Chinese goods and favoring them over Maine products.
“We know that Canada allows itself to be used as a backdoor for Chinese goods. They treat Chinese goods more fairly than they do the goods that come for the people of Maine.”
Vance reveals he thought a trade deal with Canada was reached but now seeks to send a clear message.
“I frankly thought we had a deal. I think that we should have a deal, but I think that we need to send a message loud and clear to the prime minister of Canada.”
Vance instructed all members of Parliament to leverage their contacts to advocate for Canada and Canadian employment.
“I told all my members of Parliament to use every single contact they had to fight for Canada and Canadian jobs,”
Vance credits an unnamed member of Parliament with effective behind-the-scenes advocacy due to their personal relationship.
“But the quiet sort of behind-the-scenes story is that this, like, random MP who has a good relationship with us has been a pretty effective advocate,”