Former Obama Envoy to Canada Weighs In on Trump’s Pick for Top Ottawa Job

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A former U.S. ambassador to Canada under the Obama administration said Donald Trump’s pick for the role in Ottawa bodes well for the relationship between the two countries.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. 20 that Pete Hoekstra will be heading to Ottawa to serve as U.S. ambassador once he’s confirmed by the Senate.

Hoekstra was the second country ambassador named by Trump, with the first being former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee for Israel. Hoekstra hails from the northern state of Michigan, which he represented in Congress for nearly 20 years. He also served as ambassador to the Netherlands under the previous Trump administration.

Bruce Heyman, who was appointed ambassador to Canada by then-president Barack Obama in 2014 and served until 2017, remarked that Hoekstra’s early naming is a sign Trump views the relationship with Canada as important.

In a post on the social media platform X, Heyman said Hoekstra is “clearly an insider and this is who Canada will need to get [the] straight scoop and real lay of the land.” Heyman touted Hoekstra’s experience as an ambassador and as a House representative, adding he “obviously knows Trump well and has his trust.”

Heyman also noted Hoekstra comes from a border state, giving him “direct knowledge and understanding” of Canada.

“Should be good news for the Canada-US relationship as they will have someone to work with to navigate the changes that are coming,” he said.

Those changes could pertain to Trump promising to impose broad tariffs on U.S. imports, although his plans for Canada specifically have not been announced.

Trump has also said he would renegotiate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade deal (CUSMA). This this is already making waves, with all Canadian premiers calling for Canada to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the U.S that leaves Mexico out over concerns China is using the southernmost country as a back door for trade access.

In announcing Hoekstra’s nomination, Trump noted that during his first term as president he had revamped the previous North American free trade agreement (NAFTA), calling it “disastrous” and the “worst” trade deal in the history of the United States.

“We brought Trade with Mexico and Canada to a level playing field for our wonderful Farmers and Working Families,” he said in a statement. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST.” In a response to the statement on social media, Hoekstra said he is “honored for the opportunity to serve.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, who was in Washington D.C. on Nov. 21 to meet with elected Republican and Democratic senators, said Canada welcomes the nomination of Hoekstra.

“We look forward to working to strengthening the ties between our two countries, as close allies and neighbours, and continue advancing our shared priorities,” she said in a statement posted on X.

The Liberal government has been preparing for the new U.S. administration with a Team Canada approach since January, sending delegations across the country to meet with political and business leaders. A cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations was also struck after Trump won the election.