Vice President Vance warns of high Canadian dairy tariffs affecting Maine farmers
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Vice President JD Vance told a Maine audience that Canadian tariffs on U.S. dairy can reach 250%, urging the government to press Canada for a fairer trade deal as broader U.S.-Canada negotiations stall.
Vice President JD Vance said Canadian duties on dairy products exported from Maine could rise to as much as 250 percent, a rate he described as unfair to American farmers. Speaking at a defense-technology firm in Brewer, Maine, Vance argued that Canada has been more accommodating to Chinese imports while imposing steep tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods.
"They treat Chinese goods more fairly than they do the goods that come from the people of Maine: It’s insanity," Vance said during a question-and-answer session.
Vance claimed that negotiations for a new U.S.-Canada trade agreement collapsed after Ottawa presented what he called “unreasonable last-minute demands.” He urged the Canadian prime minister to halt what he termed “taking advantage of the people of Maine” and warned that the United States would respond to perceived trade imbalances.
President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 50 % tariffs on Canadian-made vehicles, auto parts and steel beginning in 2027, citing similar concerns over Canadian trade practices. Vance emphasized that Maine, as a border state, relies heavily on cross-border commerce and therefore deserves a “fair deal.”
He contrasted expectations of China, which the United States views as a major economic competitor, with those for Canada, a longtime ally, stating that “I would not expect that from Canada.” Vance also accused Canada of allowing Chinese goods to enter the North American market through its territory.
While noting the possibility of returning to a trade agreement, Vance said the administration is prepared to maintain existing tariffs unless Canada offers concessions.
Canada’s dairy tariff schedule does provide duty-free access for certain U.S. products under the existing U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but over-quota rates can exceed 240 % for specific milk categories, a point Vance highlighted in his remarks.