Pence Comes Back To Haunt Trump

Pence Warns Trump: Canada Trade War Could Hit Americans Where It Hurts

Former Vice President Mike Pence is warning that escalating tensions between the United States and Canada could create another economic headache for American families, arguing that a trade war is the last thing the U.S. economy needs right now.

Speaking Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Pence said American businesses and consumers ultimately bear much of the cost of tariffs. His comments came after trade negotiations between the Trump administration and Canadian officials broke down, with President Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods taking effect Saturday.

Canada has announced plans to respond with its own 50 percent tariffs on U.S. goods beginning Sept. 8. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government was reluctant to take the step, warning that the dispute could increase costs and reduce choices for consumers in both countries.

Carney also argued that the escalating trade fight is getting in the way of cooperation between two longtime allies. He said some American companies and states could be caught in the middle despite having no role in the dispute.

Trump, meanwhile, continued his criticism of Canada on Sunday, accusing its government of wanting the benefits of being a U.S. state without actually becoming one. The president has repeatedly floated the idea of Canada becoming part of the United States during his second term.

Pence, who was involved in trade negotiations during the first Trump administration that eventually produced the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, urged the president and Canadian officials to move away from increasingly heated rhetoric and return to negotiations.

The former vice president said Trump should continue pushing for favorable terms for the United States but warned against allowing the dispute to turn into a prolonged confrontation.

His comments put Pence at odds with the administration’s increasingly aggressive approach toward Canada and raise a familiar economic question: Will Trump’s tariff strategy protect American workers — or leave consumers paying the bill?