Former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra has been officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new United States ambassador to Canada. He steps into the role during a turbulent period in U.S.-Canada relations, as President Donald Trump continues to impose tariffs on Canadian automobiles, steel, and aluminum, and has floated the idea of sweeping fentanyl-related economic penalties.
Although Trump has controversially suggested Canada should be absorbed as a U.S. state, Hoekstra emphasized during his confirmation hearing that Canada is an independent and sovereign nation. In his first official statement, Hoekstra called Canada America’s most important trading partner, as well as its largest source of foreign investment and energy imports.
He pledged to collaborate with Canadian officials to reinforce trade ties, secure the shared border, address the growing fentanyl crisis, and bolster national security. Hoekstra previously served as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump’s first term.
Source: Swifteradio.com
