The U.S. ambassador to Canada has voiced his frustration regarding the negative sentiment towards the United States in Canada following President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on most countries globally. Pete Hoekstra, the ambassador, expressed disappointment at the lack of enthusiasm among Canadians for the U.S.-Canadian relationship, stating that the anti-American campaign during the Canadian election and subsequent rhetoric have been disheartening.
While acknowledging Prime Minister Mark Carney’s statement that Canada currently holds the best deal with the U.S. worldwide, Hoekstra criticized a cabinet minister for referring to a trade dispute as a “war,” which he deemed unhelpful. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne also used the term “war” to describe Canada’s efforts to strengthen its economy amidst trade challenges with the U.S.
Hoekstra cautioned against using such language, emphasizing that it could lead to a dangerous path. Despite Trump’s previous remarks about annexing Canada, the ambassador clarified that the ongoing discussions between the two countries on various topics indicate that they are not engaged in a trade war.
Statistics Canada data revealed a significant drop in Canadian exports to the U.S. following Trump’s tariff announcements, impacting cross-border travel as well. Hoekstra defended Trump’s tariff strategy by highlighting that countries competing with Canada in the U.S. market face higher rates.
Regarding the future of trade relations, Hoekstra expressed optimism about reaching a trade deal and lauded Canada’s decision to lift retaliatory tariffs on American goods compliant with the CUSMA agreement. He emphasized the importance of fostering a positive environment for trade talks while warning that continued tariffs and boycotts could hinder feedback from Americans in upcoming consultations.
The U.S. has initiated a review process to evaluate the effectiveness of the CUSMA agreement over the past five years. Hoekstra anticipates receiving a mix of comments from American businesses during the review, describing it as a lengthy process likely to extend beyond July 2026.