Trump’s alternative for ambassador says Canada is a sovereign state

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WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump’s alternative for United States ambassador to Canada confronted powerful questions in his Senate nomination listening to Thursday, as the connection between the 2 nations is strained by tariffs and threats of annexation.

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“Canada is a sovereign state,” Pete Hoekstra stated when requested about Trump’s repeated threats to make the nation a U.S. state.

When requested whether or not a “joke” about annexation is ever acceptable, Hoekstra stated he couldn’t touch upon the president’s relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which was notably rocky throughout the first Trump administration.

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If confirmed, the previous Michigan congressman will turn into the highest American diplomat in Ottawa at a fraught time for the U.S.-Canada relationship. Since Trump’s November win, the president has focused Canada repeatedly by means of his phrases and actions.

Trump on Wednesday slapped 25 per cent tariffs on all metal and aluminum imports to the US, together with these from Canada. The week prior, the president despatched markets right into a tailspin when he began — then partially paused — a commerce battle with Canada and Mexico.

Trump has linked some tariffs to the movement of lethal fentanyl however Canadian officers have stated the president’s objective is to make use of financial power to annex Canada.

Hoekstra advised the listening to Trump has a collection of priorities for Canada, which embrace freer commerce and combating the movement of fentanyl.

New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen pushed again on Hoekstra, saying that the quantity of fentanyl coming from Canada is minuscule and noting that Canada has one of many lowest tariff regimes.

Hoekstra later stated “it’s not an enormous quantity” of fentanyl that comes from Canada.

Shaheen’s state borders Canada and she or he stated companies there have been working in response to the principles within the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Settlement, additionally known as CUSMA, which was negotiated by Trump throughout his first administration.

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Shaheen stated she’s fielded calls from enterprise house owners whose orders from Canada have been cancelled because of Trump’s tariffs and rhetoric.

Hoekstra was additionally pressed on reviews suggesting Trump’s administration was contemplating pushing Canada out of the 5 Eyes. He stated all member nations play vital roles within the intelligence-sharing alliance.

Hoekstra additionally stated Canada must step up its defence spending to fulfill the NATO goal of two per cent of gross home product.

The listening to comes as Canadian officers are set to fulfill with the U.S. commerce secretary in Washington later Thursday — days after a dust-up with Trump that ended with Ontario pausing its surcharge on electrical energy exports to the US.

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Business Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are anticipated to fulfill with Howard Lutnick.

Ford has stated his objective is to get a coherent sense of the Trump administration’s plans for tariffs. Ford stated he expects to speak about continental commerce pact and hopes to hurry up a compulsory evaluate of CUSMA set for subsequent 12 months.

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“I wish to discover out the place their bar is ready,” Ford advised reporters Wednesday. “Reasonably than hold shifting the goalpost, I wish to learn how shortly you wish to transfer ahead and see what their necessities are.”

On Tuesday, Trump threatened to double metal and aluminum duties on Canada however backed down after Ford agreed to halt a surcharge on electrical energy that Ontario sells to a few U.S. states.

Trump claimed a win towards Ford repeatedly on Wednesday, calling the premier “some man in Ontario.”

“I stated, ‘This shall be gained in a single hour,’ and (we) introduced what we have been going to do they usually withdrew their little risk,” Trump stated.

Canada responded to Trump’s metal and aluminum levies with 25 per cent tariffs on $29.8 billion value of American items, which took impact simply after midnight Thursday.

These duties concentrate on American metal and aluminum merchandise but in addition embrace different objects like smartphones, online game consoles and golf golf equipment. Spring and summer season staples hit with Canadian tariffs embrace fishing gear and sleeping luggage.

Champagne additionally directed Business Canada to prioritize investments in tasks that largely use Canadian metal and aluminum.

“Canadian metal and aluminum type the idea of North America’s essential infrastructure and manufacturing base, whereas supporting important U.S. industries, together with defence, shipbuilding and automotive,” Champagne stated in a media assertion.

“They’re additionally important for securing our collective power future and generate high-quality jobs on each side of the border.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed March 13, 2025.

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