President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Canada, former Representative Pete Hoekstra, emphasized Canada’s status as a sovereign nation during a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, diverging from Trump’s earlier remarks about Canada’s potential role as the newest U.S. state. Trump’s persistent inclination has been that Canada would fare better being assimilated into the United States.
During the confirmation proceedings, Senator Chris Coons from Delaware questioned Hoekstra on this matter, seeking to clarify his stance regarding Canada’s sovereignty and its portrayal as the so-called “51st state.” Hoekstra responded affirmatively, making it clear that “Canada is a sovereign state, yes.”
Hoekstra’s statements came shortly before President Trump reiterated his critical viewpoint towards Canada during a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO’s leader. Trump consistently portrays Canada as a country reaping undue benefits from the United States, inaccurately presenting the trade deficit between the two countries, despite Canada being a resource-rich nation supplying commodities like oil to the U.S. “We don’t need their cars. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need their lumber,” Trump asserted, adding, “As a state, it would be one of the great states.”
Such comments have previously unsettled Canadian officials and citizens, as Trump’s proposition for Canada to become the 51st state hasn’t gained traction in Canada. The tension between the two nations has been compounded by a trade conflict instigated by Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian aluminum, steel, and other imports. Canada, in retaliation, has increased tariffs on an array of American products.
Hoekstra brings experience as a former congressman from Michigan and has previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump’s first term. In opening remarks at his confirmation hearing, he expressed a particular affinity for Canada, noting his roots in Michigan — a state that forms Canada’s southern neighbor. Hoekstra highlighted that 36 out of the 50 U.S. states consider Canada their primary trade partner, pointing out his past engagements with Canada concerning trade and various other subjects during his congressional tenure.
