At a dinner event hosted by Canada 2020 in Ottawa, potential U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg expressed surprise at the current state of relations between Canada and the United States. He emphasized that the tensions and criticisms directed towards Canada and its government do not reflect the sentiments of the American people.
Buttigieg, a former mayor and naval officer who ran in the 2020 Democratic primaries and served as transportation secretary under President Joe Biden, highlighted the need to dispel the notion that the actions of the current U.S. administration represent the will of all Americans. He acknowledged the strain caused by tariffs and President Donald Trump’s comments suggesting Canada could be a 51st state but remains optimistic about the enduring relationship between the two countries.
During a fireside chat with former Canadian cabinet minister Seamus O’Regan, Buttigieg praised Canada’s efforts to assert its sovereignty in the face of trade threats, noting that such actions resonated positively with progressive Americans. He described the challenges as a natural part of the realignment that occurs among close allies.
Buttigieg, who is rumored to be considering a presidential run in 2028, also addressed former presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s concerns about the potential risks of having a diverse ticket, including a gay man. He emphasized the importance of pushing boundaries to discover what the country can truly embrace.
Overall, Buttigieg’s remarks underscored his belief in the enduring friendship between the peoples of the U.S. and Canada, regardless of political tensions at the governmental level.