‘Disappointed I came to Canada’: US envoy voices concern over 'anti-American' sentiment; defends Donald Trump’s tariff policy

The US ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has voiced frustration over what he sees as growing anti-American sentiment in the country, including from political leaders, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on much of the world.Speaking at a Halifax Chamber of Commerce event on Thursday, Hoekstra said that he was surprised by the negative tone toward the US since taking up his role in April.“I’m disappointed that I came to Canada — a Canada where it is very, very difficult to find Canadians who are passionate about the American-Canadian relationship,” he said.Hoekstra accused Canadian politicians of running campaigns with an “anti-American” tone, saying that attitude has continued.Prime Minister Mark Carney recently said in Parliament that Canada has “the best deal with the US worldwide right now,” which Hoekstra welcomed as a positive sign. But he criticized finance minister François-Philippe Champagne for repeatedly describing the tariff clash as a “war,” as reported by CBC news. Calling that language “a dangerous place to go,” Hoekstra argued that if Canada were truly in a trade war, “the country would know it.”

Canada’s steel and aluminum industries have been hit especially hard by US tariffs, with steel exports facing a 50 per cent levy. Statistics Canada data shows Canadian exports to the US have fallen nearly 16% since April, while imports from the US are down 11 per cent.Despite the economic strain, Hoekstra defended Trump’s tariff agenda, saying that Canada’s relative position has improved compared to other countries now facing higher rates.Trump has also continued to threaten annexation, suggesting Canada could avoid tariffs by becoming the “51st state.”The ambassador welcomed Prime Minister Carney’s recent decision to drop retaliatory tariffs on US goods covered by the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).“It’s number one. It’s like hallelujah,” Hoekstra said, adding that those tariffs “should have never been in place.”The move, he said, sets a better tone for the mandatory five-year CUSMA review, though he warned that American businesses are likely to submit negative feedback during consultations.Hoekstra described the review as a “long, grinding process” that may not conclude before July 2026. Still, he expressed optimism about reaching a broader trade deal, saying he remains in regular contact with President Trump and Canadian officials on multiple issues, including China and Ukraine.