Latest news with #PeteHoekstra
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Lorne Gunter: Donald Trump's talk of '51st state' rears its ugly head once again
Article content Donald Trump's at it again. Wednesday, he resumed his insults to Canadian sovereignty by offering us missile defence at such a high price that he thinks we might intimidate us to give up our independence — to become America's 51st state — just to get under his Golden Dome. It was less than three weeks ago that U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, said Trump's taunts were 'behind us.' Hoekstra told the National Post, 'It's done. From my standpoint, from the president's standpoint, 51st state's not coming back.'
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Trump's ambassador predicts Canada trade deal — with a catch
Social Sharing There's some good news, and some bad news, for Canada from U.S. President Donald Trump's ambassador to Ottawa. First, the good news: He suggests a new Canada-U.S. agreement is achievable in the not-too-distant future, and it would benefit both countries. The bad news? Don't count on tariff-free trade again. Pete Hoekstra made the remarks Wednesday at a conference in his home state of Michigan, where he also bemoaned what he described as recent anti-Americanism in Canada. "The president and the prime minister would like to get to a resolution sooner rather than later," Hoekstra said during a panel at the Mackinac Policy Conference. "We will get through this." He predicted a stronger Canada-U.S. relationship in the end. Tariffs won't fully disappear, ambassador says As a specific example, he mentioned the auto sector, declaring that Canada and the U.S. are not competitors — China is the competition, he said. But there's a catch. Based on the ambassador's remarks, Canada should not assume tariffs will disappear entirely. "The president has made it very clear: There will be tariffs for every country wanting to do business in the United States," Hoekstra said. WATCH | Looking at Trump's tariff strategy: Does Trump 'always chicken out' on tariffs? 16 minutes ago Duration 5:34 Investors are poking fun at U.S. President Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariff threats, calling it 'TACO' trade — which stands for 'Trump Always Chickens Out.' When asked about the term, Trump called it a 'nasty question.' CBC's Katie Simpson reports. This actually leaves Canada in an advantageous position, Hoekstra said: Depending on how these negotiations go, Canada could have the best trade access to the U.S. of any country. He said Trump has already dropped most tariffs on Canada. Indeed, Canada does not have an across-the-board 10 per cent levy Trump imposed on most countries. But it does have a 25 per cent steel and aluminum tariff, like most of the world, as well a 25 per cent tariff on certain products not traded under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico pact. Based on remarks from both countries, it sounds like Ottawa and Washington envision trade talks happening in two phases. They're now discussing a deal to resolve a limited set of grievances, then, in several months, plan to start working on an update to the broader Canada-U.S.-Mexico pact. Hoekstra out of step with Trump It's unclear how much weight to place on the ambassador's predictions. Events this week demonstrated that he isn't always in sync with the boss. Even on a fundamental question, perhaps the most fundamental one: Will his country keep talking about annexing the neighbour? Hoekstra said one thing, and the U.S. president contradicted him within days. 'It's not an offer,' Carney says about Trump's Golden Dome post 4 hours ago Duration 0:18 Heading into his first question period Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney was asked by a reporter if he was considering an 'offer' by the U.S. president for Canada to spend $61 billion US on a new missile defence system. Carney said 'it's not an offer' as he walked past. Last week, the ambassador even sounded annoyed Canadians keep mentioning annexation: "Move on," Hoekstra told CBC. "I'm not talking about it; Donald Trump is not talking about it." That position barely lasted through the weekend. On Tuesday, Trump made another pitch for Canadian annexation, promising savings on a missile-defence system if Canada joins the U.S. But Hoekstra continued Wednesday to suggest Canadians are being overly emotional. He called it outrageous that provinces have banned U.S. liquor sales. He lamented that there has been no constituency in Canada expressing pro-U.S. opinions over the last four to six months — not even the business community. "Both political parties kind of ran on a platform of anti-Trump, anti-America. That's an obstacle," he said. "You had both parties running basically an anti-American agenda. The business community has largely been silent."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Trump doubles down on 51st state calls
Donald Trump doubled down on his position that Canada could become the '51st State' after King Charles' show of support for independence on Tuesday. King Charles, the head of state in Canada, was invited to Canada by new prime minister Mark Carney, prompted by Trump's repeated threats of annexation. He avoided mentioning Trump directly in his speech on Tuesday, but noted Canada's 'anxieties' about a 'changing world' and reaffirmed Canada's sovereignty, saying the 'True North is indeed strong and free'. But Trump seemed to respond to the visit later on Tuesday, writing that if Canada becomes the 'cherished 51st State' it won't have to pay to join his future Golden Dome missile program. 'It will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!,' Trump posted on social media. The comments appears to run contrary to claims from the U.S. ambassador to Canada, who told CBC's The House last week, before the king's speech, that the annexation saga was 'over'. Pete Hoekstra said he understood the message that was being sent with the rare royal address, adding that there were 'easier ways to send messages' to the U.S. government. He said that Canada should 'move on' from the annexation saga, as the Trump administration has 'too much on our plate to move forward'. 'If the Canadians want to keep talking about it - that's their business. I'm not talking about it; Donald Trump is not talking about it,' he said at the time. Trump supporters rallied around the president after his comments on social media. Dean Skoreyko wrote on X: 'Trump owned King Carney and King Charles today. They didn't see it coming. 51th state. [sic]' Columnist Benny Johnson shared the post, noting Trump's claims that Canada was 'considering the offer'. 'Art of the deal,' he wrote. Trump asserted that Canada was 'considering' the offer to join the U.S. days after he announced the new missile defense system, which he estimates will cost $175bn over three years. The shield, he hopes, will be capable of shooting down missiles fired from across the planet, covering the entire United States. Security experts told the WSJ the task ahead is more complex, and the technologies required are still nascent. Nonetheless, Trump insists that the coverage could extend to Canada for a fee - or for free if they join. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly made threats to bring Canada into the United States. Trump's National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz said in February it was unlikely that the U.S. military would invade Canada and annex the country. The suggestion prompted Prime Minister Mark Carney to invite Charles to give a speech from the throne outlining the Liberal government's priorities for the new session of Parliament. Charles said on Tuesday that Canada is facing unprecedented challenges in a world that's never been more dangerous as he opened the Parliament with a speech widely viewed as a show of support in the face of the annexation threats. 'We must face reality: since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented,' Charles said in French, one of Canada's official languages. He added that 'many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them.' It's rare for the monarch to deliver the speech from the throne in Canada. Charles´ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, did it twice. The king noted that it had been nearly 70 years since his mother first opened Parliament. The visit to Canada was Charles' first as king and his 20th overall. 'Canada has dramatically changed: repatriating its constitution, achieving full independence and witnessing immense growth. Canada has embraced its British, French and Indigenous roots and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural,' the monarch said. The king said that among the priorities for the government is protection of the French language and Quebec culture, which are at the heart of Canadian identity. He said when his mother opened a new session of Canadian Parliament in 1957, World War II remained a fresh, painful memory and the Cold War was intensifying. 'Freedom and democracy were under threat,' he said. 'Today, Canada faces another critical moment.' The speech isn't written by the king or his U.K. advisers, as Charles serves as a nonpartisan head of state. He read what was put before him by Canada's government, but can make some remarks of his own. Canadians are largely indifferent to the monarchy, but Carney has been eager to show the differences between Canada and the United States. After the United States gained independence from Britain, Canada remained a colony until 1867, and afterward continued as a constitutional monarchy with a British-style parliamentary system. The king's visit clearly underscores Canada's sovereignty, Carney said. Carney won the job of prime minister by promising to confront the increased aggression shown by Trump and made his first official trip to London and Paris, the capital cities of Canada's two founding nations. Carney is eager to diversify trade, and the king said Canada can build new alliances. More than 75% of Canada's exports go to the U.S., and Trump has threatened sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. The king said Canada must protect Quebec's dairy supply management industry, which Trump has attacked in trade talks. And he said the Canadian government will protect the country's sovereignty by reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. Trump has asserted that Canada doesn't spend enough on its military. The king also said Canada would look to the European Union to purchase military equipment by joining the 'REARM Europe' plan - a major defense procurement project to ramp up arms production in Europe. The speech made no mention of buying from the U.S. Charles is also the king of the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and others - 14 realms in total. He exercises no political power in any of them.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Donald Trump doubles down on calls for Canada to be made 51st US state in apparent rebuke after King Charles' declaration that country will remain 'strong and free'
Donald Trump doubled down on his position that Canada could become the '51st State' after King Charles ' show of support for independence on Tuesday. King Charles, the head of state in Canada, was invited to Canada by new prime minister Mark Carney, prompted by Trump's repeated threats of annexation. He avoided mentioning Trump directly in his speech on Tuesday, but noted Canada's 'anxieties' about a 'changing world' and reaffirmed Canada's sovereignty, saying the 'True North is indeed strong and free'. But Trump seemed to respond to the visit later on Tuesday, writing that if Canada becomes the 'cherished 51st State' it won't have to pay to join his future Golden Dome missile programme. 'It will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!,' Trump posted on social media. The comments appears to run contrary to claims from the U.S. ambassador to Canada, who told CBC's The House last week, before the king's speech, that the annexation saga was 'over'. Pete Hoekstra said he understood the message that was being sent with the rare royal address, adding that there were 'easier ways to send messages' to the U.S. government. He said that Canada should 'move on' from the annexation saga, as the Trump administration has 'too much on our plate to move forward'. 'If the Canadians want to keep talking about it - that's their business. I'm not talking about it; Donald Trump is not talking about it,' he said at the time. Trump supporters rallied around the president after his comments on social media. Dean Skoreyko wrote on X: 'Trump owned King Carney and King Charles today. They didn't see it coming. 51th state. [sic]' Columnist Benny Johnson shared the post, noting Trump's claims that Canada was 'considering the offer'. 'Art of the deal,' he wrote. Trump asserted that Canada was 'considering' the offer to join the U.S. days after he announced the new missile defence system, which he estimates will cost $175bn over three years. The shield, he hopes, will be capable of shooting down missiles fired from across the planet, covering the entire United States. Security experts told the WSJ the task ahead is more complex, and the technologies required are still nascent. Nonetheless, Trump insists that the coverage could extend to Canada for a fee - or for free if they join. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly made threats to bring Canada into the United States. Trump's National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz said in February it was unlikely that the U.S. military would invade Canada and annex the country. The suggestion prompted Prime Minister Mark Carney to invite Charles to give a speech from the throne outlining the Liberal government's priorities for the new session of Parliament. The 76-year-old monarch, who is also Canada's head of state as part of the Commonwealth, has never publicly commented on the ambitions of the US president, a noted admirer of the royal family Charles said on Tuesday that Canada is facing unprecedented challenges in a world that's never been more dangerous as he opened the Parliament with a speech widely viewed as a show of support in the face of the annexation threats. 'We must face reality: since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented,' Charles said in French, one of Canada's official languages. He added that 'many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them.' It's rare for the monarch to deliver the speech from the throne in Canada. Charles´ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, did it twice. The king noted that it had been nearly 70 years since his mother first opened Parliament. The visit to Canada was Charles' first as king and his 20th overall. 'Canada has dramatically changed: repatriating its constitution, achieving full independence and witnessing immense growth. Canada has embraced its British, French and Indigenous roots and become a bold, ambitious, innovative country that is bilingual, truly multicultural,' the monarch said. The king said that among the priorities for the government is protection of the French language and Quebec culture, which are at the heart of Canadian identity. He said when his mother opened a new session of Canadian Parliament in 1957, World War II remained a fresh, painful memory and the Cold War was intensifying. 'Freedom and democracy were under threat,' he said. 'Today, Canada faces another critical moment.' The speech isn't written by the king or his U.K. advisers, as Charles serves as a nonpartisan head of state. He read what was put before him by Canada´s government, but can make some remarks of his own. Canadians are largely indifferent to the monarchy, but Carney has been eager to show the differences between Canada and the United States. After the United States gained independence from Britain, Canada remained a colony until 1867, and afterward continued as a constitutional monarchy with a British-style parliamentary system. The king´s visit clearly underscores Canada´s sovereignty, Carney said. Carney won the job of prime minister by promising to confront the increased aggression shown by Trump and made his first official trip to London and Paris, the capital cities of Canada's two founding nations. Carney is eager to diversify trade, and the king said Canada can build new alliances. More than 75% of Canada's exports go to the U.S., and Trump has threatened sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. The king said Canada must protect Quebec's dairy supply management industry, which Trump has attacked in trade talks. And he said the Canadian government will protect the country's sovereignty by reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. Trump has asserted that Canada doesn't spend enough on its military. The king also said Canada would look to the European Union to purchase military equipment by joining the 'REARM Europe' plan - a major defense procurement project to ramp up arms production in Europe. The speech made no mention of buying from the U.S. Charles is also the king of the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica and others - 14 realms in total. He exercises no political power in any of them.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Michigan's lawmakers, business leaders gather for Mackinac Policy Conference
The Mackinac Policy Conference, an annual gathering of Michigan's leaders for discussions on political and economic issues, is taking place this week. The conference takes place May 27 to May 30 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Attendees and panelists include Detroit Regional Chamber officials, business executives, Michigan legislators and congressional representatives. Other speakers include Pete Hoekstra, U.S. Ambassador to Canada; Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford Motor Company; and Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit; and Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan governor. Presentation and panel topics announced on the event's web site include: Efforts to bring the WNBA league back to Detroit. Funding challenges in higher education research. Best practices in "dual enrollment" options that allow high school students to take college courses. Promoting homeownership in Michigan. Michigan's role in America's defense.
