Vice President Vance traveled to Brewer, Maine, on Monday to rally support for the administration’s current trade strategy, which includes an escalating trade dispute with Canada. The visit served as a platform for Vance to defend the economic policies that have recently faced scrutiny from various political corners, including members of his own party.

Senator Susan Collins, a Republican representing Maine, was notably absent from the event. While Collins officially stated that she had a prior scheduling conflict, her absence follows her public criticism of the administration's trade approach. Collins has emerged as one of the most vocal Republican opponents of the current trade war, arguing that such policies could have negative consequences for the regional economy. The Hill reports that Vance used the rally to double down on the administration's position, framing the trade conflict as a necessary measure despite the pushback from lawmakers like Collins. The event highlighted a growing internal divide within the Republican Party regarding the efficacy and potential fallout of the current trade agenda.