Canada has a new US ambassador through its stressful ties with Washington as Senate on Wednesday approved the nomination of Peter Hocostra President Donald Trump for 60–37 votes to Senate.
His confirmation as an US ambassador to Canada is one of the longest challenging times with his northern neighbor of Washington, when Trump started a series of tariffs targeted to Ottawa and repeatedly claimed that he believes Canada should become the 51st state of America.
But despite raising concerns on Trump’s ambitions for Canada, especially among democratic MPs, the confirmation of the Hocastra Senate was a relatively smooth road.
Trump made former Congress Pete Hokestra an ambassador to Canada
Peter Hocastra attends the hearing of his Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Business, Security and other US interests for the US Ambassador to the US Ambassador to Canada. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Image)
“I have a special appreciation for Canada as a neighbor,” he told the senators at the hearing of his confirmation last month.
After the questions of Delaware Democrat Sen Christopher Cons, Hocastra confirmed that “Canada is a sovereign state.”
However, he refused to comment on the President’s repeated wish to include Canada as the next US state – a proposal has been constantly rejected by Ottawa.
He said, “The President and the relationship between the former Prime Minister and the characteristics in Canada, how the nature of that relationship … I don’t know,” he said.
During the first term of President Trump, Michigan MLA and former Ambassador mentioned the Empowerment Committee of the Netherlands to mention his kingdom’s close ties for Canada during his initial comment last month.
“My home state is connected to Canada to be four and soon to be five, bridge crossing with the maritime board, beyond the Great Lex, important lakes that run businesses, jobs and livelihoods in both states,” Hocastra highlighted. “If confirmed, I will make tireless efforts to build on that record of extended cooperation, clearly at the national level.”
Canada saw the results of Trump Tariff War: Job Loss, Grocery Price Increase, Possible Recession
A truck with vehicles crosses the Blue Water Bridge border in the United States from Sarnia, Canada on April 3, 2025. (Geoff Robins/AFP through Getty Image)
Canada is America’s largest trading partner and the number one buyer of US Goods.
“I think there are 36 states that see Canada internationally as their number one business partner,” Hocastra confirmed.
The US is also, Canada’s largest trading partner and top buyer of Canadian goods, but Trump has repeatedly called the relationship “inappropriate”.
In 2023, the US imported a few $ 443 billion goods, accounting for 72% of all Canadian exports, while Canada imported US $ 317 billion goods, which was 49% of Ottawa’s total imports.
Trump says
On 21 February 2025, Trump was appreciated after Howard Lutnik as US Commerce Secretary at the Oval Office at the White House. (Jeet McCamy/Getty Image)
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In response, Trump slapped Ottawa on all Canadian imports with a blanket 25% tariff, which saw 10% tariffs with the exception of energy imports in one step to prevent American consumers from purchasing Canadian goods.
Additionally, Trump announced 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles and parts, which will also greatly affect Canada as the automobile is a main export item for the US.
