JD Vance reportedly mocks Carney for trying to ‘out-tough’ Trump on trade

Audio from a private event has reportedly captured US Vice President JD Vance mocking Canada for capitulating in a trade deal. The recording, made at a New York fundraiser, reveals Vance taunting Prime Minister Mark Carney for attempting to "out-tough" Donald Trump. In the audio, Vance describes Carney as a "very sweet guy" who gets along with him well, but remarks that Carney "puffs his chest out and says: 'I'm going to, like, out-tough Donald Trump.'"

Vance finds it amusing that Carney frames this as a victory for Canada when they have in fact compromised on many issues. The audio is unlikely to improve relations between the delegations as Canada is close to a deal that may allow US alcohol sales nationwide in exchange for avoiding harsher tariffs. Trump initially threatened to impose 50% tariffs on Canada on August 19, but paused the threat for three days.

The White House justified the tariffs as retaliation for Canada's discriminatory treatment, including the ban on US alcohol in most of the country. Canadian imports of US alcohol have dropped 81% year-over-year due to the boycott. Canadian Premier Wab Kinew and Nova Scotia's Tim Houston confirmed that Carney asked provinces to resume selling US alcohol, urging Canadians to continue boycotting US products.

Kinew respects Carney's stance against Trump and believes Canada should remain firm in negotiations, stating that "America is weaker around the world today than it was a year ago, and he's about to get slaughtered in the midterms."