Leaked audio has reportedly captured US vice-president JD Vance mocking Canada for its trade concessions to Washington and taunting prime minister Mark Carney for trying to "out-tough" Donald Trump. The recording, apparently made at a New York fundraiser and shared with the Canadian Press, comes at a delicate moment in negotiations, with Trump having threatened 50% tariffs on Canada before pausing them this week.

In the audio, Vance calls Carney a "very sweet guy" but says he "puffs his chest out" and claims victories while actually climbing down on key issues. Canadian officials say a deal is close, likely involving the resumption of US alcohol sales across Canada in exchange for avoiding the worst tariffs; imports of US alcohol are currently down about 81% year-on-year after provinces boycotted them in response to earlier tariff threats. Provincial premiers Wab Kinew and Tim Houston confirmed Carney had asked them to restock US alcohol, though Kinew urged Canadians to keep boycotting anyway and said he believed Canada should continue standing firm against Trump.