U.S. ambassador says partnership with Canada under attack, denies trade war
United States Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra says the idea of Canadians partnering with the United States "is under attack here in Canada." He said that from the Trump administration's perspective, the United States is "not in a trade war with Canada." The Globe and Mail
Hoekstra spoke during a fireside chat at the SpaceBound 2026 Conference in Gatineau, a gathering focused on the space sector. He said Washington is negotiating tariffs to determine what level should apply to Canadian products seeking access to the American market.
He said about $2.5-billion in goods moves across the Canada-U.S. border every day, most of it tariff-free. Hoekstra said the United States does not view its relationship with Canada as ruptured. CTV News
He urged the Gatineau audience to seriously consider whether the best partner for Canada going forward "might be the United States of America." He said the United States will move forward with other space partners if Canada is reluctant to take part. "If it's not Canada, we're moving forward; the space will be filled," he said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has set a goal for Canada to double its non-U.S. exports over 10 years as part of reducing reliance on the United States. Hoekstra made the case for continued partnership with Washington as Ottawa pursues that diversification effort.
In separate remarks ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, Hoekstra warned Canadian politicians to stay out of American politics. He spoke about political interference in U.S. elections in an appearance on The Really Big Show. He has said the point of the NATO military alliance is for members to defend each other when under attack.
