Ambassador Hoekstra says U.S. and Canadian leaders aiming to mend fences
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra speaks on the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
From snipes about turning the great white north into the 51st state to booing during 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' the U.S. relationship with its northern neighbor and closest ally has seemingly soured since the election of President Donald Trump.
However Pete Hoekstra, the United States ambassador to Canada, offered a significantly more positive outlook during the Mackinac Policy Conference Wednesday, telling the attendees that Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are aligned in their goals of revitalizing each of their nation's economies.
'Can you imagine what happens in North America if the Canadian economy is booming and the U.S. economy is booming at the same time?' Hoekstra asked.
'We've got strong leadership, committed to economic growth, committed to the same types of economic principles who want to get to a deal. That gives me a lot of optimism,' Hoekstra said.
However, there are some obstacles, Hoekstra said, notably pointing to the lack of a pro-American trade voice in Canada, noting that several provinces have banned the sale of American alcohol in retaliation to Trump's tariff policies.
These issues are pebbles in the shoes, Hoekstra said, predicting that the U.S. and Canada would mend fences sooner rather than later.
Carney appears to be serious about meeting Canada's NATO defense spending targets, Hoekstra said, and Canada has shown interest in participating in the United States' 'Golden Dome' missile defense system.
In contrast to Hoekstra's optimism, Carney recently was quoted as saying that the 'process of deepening integration' with the U.S. is 'over' and that Canada was in a position now 'where we co-operate when necessary, but not necessarily co-operate.'
Jacques Shore, a partner in the Ottawa-based law firm Gowling WLG, told Michigan Advance that Carney's stance is one born out of necessity.
Shore, a past leader of the firm's National Government Affairs Group, said that while Hoekstra has been making an effort to actually meet Canadians, which is appreciated, in and of itself it can't erase the downturn in relations.
'I would say the pebbles in the shoes are relatively recent, because they have really come about as a result of a new focus of the President in the way in which he views Canada,' Shore said.
In reaction to Hoekstra's comments, Shore said there is a sense that what had been a strong partnership between the two nations is now under some risk because of what's been said by Trump, but that's not to say that Canada is not 'absolutely engaged' in wishing to do everything it can to restore the relationship.
However, Shore says the President's comments about making Canada a 51st state do not sit well with citizens of a proud and sovereign nation.
'I think that our Prime Minister said it extremely well when he made the comment that he has through the last election period spoken with the owners of Canada, which is obviously the citizens of Canada, and I don't think he necessarily even needed to have a campaign to see that Canadians are perfectly happy being Canadians, having the country that they have, continuing to build the country they have, without becoming part of the United States,' Shore said.
Regardless, Hoesktra said while negotiations won't be easy, the U.S. and Canada could both see benefits to their manufacturing and energy industries if they reach a deal.
Joining Hoekstra on stage, WOOD-TV reporter Rick Albin pressed the ambassador on the speed bumps on reaching a deal, and whether this would be a short term or long term concern.
'I think the president, and from what I'm hearing from my Canadian sources, are that the President and the Prime Minister would like to get to a resolution sooner rather than later,' Hoekstra said, emphasizing the American and Canadian jobs at stake.
When asked if the U.S. and Canada could reach a zero sum deal or if tariffs would remain on both sides, Hoekstra said the president had made it clear there would be tariffs for every country looking to do business with the U.S.
However, in negotiating with his Canadian colleagues, Hoekstra said there's no reason why trade between the U.S. and Canada couldn't be the least restrictive in the world in regards to tariffs.
Michigan Advance Editor-in-Chief Jon King contributed to this story.
This story was originally published by Michigan Advance. Like Maine Morning Star, Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor for questions: info@michiganadvance.com.
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