In another rhetorical jab as the two neighbors face a new trade war, US Vice President JD Vance said Monday that Canada has failed to invest in its military and would be invaded by another country without the protection provided by the United States.
"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 told an audience in Brewer, Maine, a northern state bordering Canada.
Vance also criticized Canada over recent trade tensions with the US, accusing Ottawa of making unreasonable demands during negotiations.
"They came in with a bunch of unreasonable last-minute demands," Vance said. "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: stop taking advantage of the people of Maine. Stop taking advantage of America. It's over. We expect fairness in our trade policy."
His remarks come as President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed Canada and other US allies to increase defense spending while seeking more favorable trade terms.
Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and repeatedly criticized Ottawa over trade practices, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has sought to negotiate with Washington to ease tensions between the two neighbors.
Canada is a member of both NATO and NORAD, a joint US-Canadian organization responsible for monitoring and defending the airspace and maritime approaches of North America.
Ottawa has pledged to increase defense spending as geopolitical tensions grow, including amid Russia's war in Ukraine and rising strategic competition in the Arctic.
The comments came as trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa escalated further. New US tariffs of 50% on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods took effect Saturday after trade talks collapsed.
Trump on Monday threatened an additional 50% tariff on Canadian automobiles, auto parts, and steel starting on Jan. 1, 2027. Canada has vowed to retaliate.
