Despite rising trade tensions and rhetoric from Washington, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra says President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda is not at odds with Canada’s economic vision — in fact, he believes the two nations are more aligned than they appear.
In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Hoekstra said Prime Minister Mark Carney’s goal of making Canada the fastest-growing G7 economy complements Trump’s drive to strengthen American economic power. He emphasized the value of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, noting that Carney and Trump speak frequently, though he declined to say how often or what they discuss.
“What matters,” Hoekstra stated, “is that the conversations are happening regularly — and they’re not leaking to the media.”
The ambassador acknowledged Trump’s well-known stance that the U.S. doesn’t need Canadian lumber, energy, or autos, but he still sees strong potential for bilateral cooperation in automotive manufacturing and reducing dependence on Chinese markets.
“There is absolutely no discrepancy between the president’s focus on American strength and our willingness to pursue win-win partnerships,” Hoekstra asserted.
Trade talks between Ottawa and Washington remain ongoing, with no official timeline announced. However, discussions include not only tariff issues but the potential for an early review of the North American trade agreement later this year.
Despite lingering uncertainty and protectionist rhetoric from the Trump administration, Hoekstra’s comments suggest both governments are quietly working to maintain — and perhaps expand — economic ties in the face of global competition.