JD Vance’s ‘Canada is a state’ slip sparks a stir

During a campaign rally, Vice President JD Vance mistakenly called Canada a "state," immediately correcting himself and labeling it a "Freudian slip." This slip-up comes as tensions between Washington and Ottawa escalate over trade issues. Vance acknowledged the error, saying, "That was actually an accident."

Focusing on Canada's trade and defense policies, Vance criticized Ottawa's military underinvestment and reliance on the US for protection. He stated, "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."

In a broader context, Vance also grouped Canada with China, labeling both countries as having the worst trade policies globally. He said, "China, you of course expect — they’re our biggest economic competitor. I would expect that from China. I would not expect that from Canada."

The recent comments coincide with heightened US-Canada trade tensions. US President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Canadian automobiles, auto parts, and steel to 50% starting January 1, 2027. He accused Canada of taking advantage of the US and warned Ottawa to "fall in line" or face severe consequences.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declined last-minute US proposals during trade negotiations, deeming them unfair and uneconomic. Canada vowed to retaliate against US tariffs, with Carney suggesting Ottawa could employ targeted measures instead of matching US tariffs dollar for dollar. Ontario Premier Doug Ford echoed these sentiments, asserting that Canada could leverage critical minerals and electricity exports to the US.