Pence: 'Last Thing' Our Economy Needs Is a Trade War with Canada

Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," former Vice President Mike Pence said "the last thing we need right now, as our economy is getting back on its feet, is a trade war with Canada."

Host Dana Bash said, "I want to ask you about something a little closer to home in the U.S., and that is the renewed trade war between Canada and the U.S., going dollar for dollar on 50% tariffs. Trade talks collapsed on Friday night. The Canadian prime minister blamed unfair last minute demands by the U.S., saying the administration asked too much and offered too little, and that Canada is effectively at war with the U.S. on trade. Does that help Americans right now?"

Pence said, "Look, we hear about the issue of affordability right now and as you know I've taken a firm position since Liberation Day tariffs, that fortunately the Supreme Court turned over, that American businesses and American consumers pay American tariffs. And I think the last thing we need right now, as our economy is getting back on its feet, is a trade war with Canada."

He added, "My hope is, for the sake of American families and for the sake of the American economy, is that what we're looking at here is negotiation and not confrontation in a trade war."