US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of putting the relationship between the two countries under pressure, claiming a once-prosperous partnership is now “under attack” in Canada.
Speaking at a space conference in Gatineau, Quebec, on Tuesday, Hoekstra criticised Ottawa’s approach to cooperation. His remarks caught some Canadian attendees off guard, particularly given President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada.
The comments come as tensions continue to rise following another breakdown in Canada-US trade negotiations. Carney and former prime minister Justin Trudeau have argued that American tariffs unfairly target a close ally, while the Trump administration insists the dispute is simply part of trade negotiations.
“We’re not in a trade war,” Hoekstra said, describing the tariffs as an issue the two countries are still negotiating.
Although officials say informal discussions are ongoing, formal trade talks have yet to resume. Carney walked away from negotiations in August, arguing that last-minute US demands threatened Canada’s sovereignty.
Since then, tariffs have expanded to include goods covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), adding further pressure to the relationship. Carney has responded by pushing to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships beyond the United States.
Ahead of Carney’s upcoming meeting with European leaders in Montreal, Hoekstra questioned the idea of expanding trade with other markets, calling it a difficult strategy.
With negotiations stalled and tensions mounting, the latest remarks underline the growing divide between Ottawa and Washington — and the challenges facing one of the world’s most important trading relationships.
(Source:Politico)
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