President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands and former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) to be the ambassador to Canada.
“In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put America first,” Trump said in a statement announcing the nomination on Wednesday night, with all caps. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role. Thank you, Pete!”
Hoekstra represented Michigan’s 2nd District in Congress for nearly 20 years, Trump said, during which time he also served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
Hoekstra played a key role in the 2024 general election as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, which buttressed the Trump campaign’s efforts in the Wolverine State, securing the swing state’s popular vote.
According to Trump, Hoekstra also played a big role in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which went into force on July 1, 2020, and “which no one thought could be done.”
“We brought Trade with Mexico and Canada to a level playing field for our wonderful Farmers and Working Families,” he said.
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The USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), increased environmental and working regulations, created incentives for automobile production in the United States, and increased the duty-free limit for Canadians who buy U.S. goods online, among other initiatives.
The USMCA will be reviewed in 2026, and the next federal election in Canada must be held by October 2025, meaning the next Canadian administration will negotiate the renewal. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is running for re-election.
Hoekstra responded to the news of his appointment in a statement to social media platform X, thanking Trump for the role.
“Honored for the opportunity to serve. Thank you, Mr. President!,” he said.
Canadian Advice
Canadian foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly recently said at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting in Lima, Peru, that other countries have been turning to Canada for advice on how to work with the incoming Trump administration.
Trudeau reiterated this at the same meeting, saying world leaders have been seeking his advice on working with Trump, particularly in matters of trade.
During Trump’s first administration, 25 percent tariffs were imposed on Canadian steel products and 10 percent on Canadian aluminum imports in 2018.
Canada retaliated with similar tariffs before both countries removed their respective tariffs in 2019.
During the U.S. election campaign, Trump said he would impose tariffs of at least 10 percent on other countries.
Chandra Philip contributed to this report.
