‘Canada is a state’: Vance makes ‘Freudian slip’ as US-Canada tensions rise

US Vice President JD Vance mistakenly referred to Canada as a “state” at a campaign rally, quickly correcting himself and calling it a “Freudian slip” as tensions between Washington and Ottawa continue to rise over trade.

“Canada is a state. Sorry, Freudian slip,” Vance said during the rally. “That was actually an accident.”

Vance then referred to Canada as a country and criticised its trade and defence policies, saying Ottawa had underinvested in its military and relied on the US for protection.


Also Read: Canada to announce retaliatory tariffs against US as Trump tells its leaders to 'fall in line'

“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,” he said.

Vance also grouped Canada with China as the two countries with what he described as the worst trade policies in the world.

“China, you of course expect — they’re our biggest economic competitor. I would expect that from China. I would not expect that from Canada,” he said.

US-Canada trade tensions

The comments come as the US and Canada face their sharpest trade tensions in years after talks between the two countries collapsed last week.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Canadian automobiles, auto parts and steel to 50% from January 1, 2027. He has also accused Canada of taking advantage of the US and warned Ottawa to “fall in line” or face consequences that would be “far worse”.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from trade negotiations after rejecting last-minute US proposals as unfair and uneconomic. Canada has vowed to retaliate against US tariffs, with Carney indicating that Ottawa could use targeted measures rather than matching US tariffs dollar for dollar.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has backed Carney and warned that Canada could use critical minerals and electricity as leverage.

Also Read: Trump threatens 50% tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks and steel from January 2027

Ford has said “everything is on the table”, including cutting off critical mineral supplies to the US and restricting electricity exports from Ontario.

The dispute has put the closely integrated auto, energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors under pressure, threatening to raise costs for businesses and workers on both sides of the border.