Trump nominates former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra to be ambassador to Canada
Hoekstra previously served as ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first presidency
Trump Appoints Pete Hoekstra as Ambassador to Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra as his ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2011, previously held the role of Trump’s ambassador to the Netherlands during the former president's first term.
Trump announced the nomination in a statement, saying, "In my second term, Pete will help me once again put America first. I am confident that he will continue to represent our country well in this new role."
Hoekstra expressed his appreciation for the opportunity, writing on social media, "I am honoured for the opportunity."
This nomination marks a shift from the pattern seen in recent decades. While U.S. ambassadors to Canada traditionally had elected experience until the late 2000s, the trend shifted under Presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and during Trump's first term, with appointments often going to party fundraisers and organizers. Hoekstra, however, combines both political experience and organizational leadership, having served as the chair of the Michigan Republican Party for most of the past year.
Hoekstra is among Trump’s first ambassadorial nominations, alongside choices for roles at the United Nations, NATO, and Israel.
Bruce Heyman, former U.S. ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2017, commented that the early nomination reflects the "importance of the relationship" between the two countries. He also noted that Hoekstra’s background from a border state offers him "direct knowledge and understanding of Canada." Heyman added, "[This] should be good news for the Canada-U.S. relationship as they will have someone to work with to navigate the changes that are coming."
During his time in Congress, Hoekstra chaired the House Intelligence Committee. If confirmed, he will step into his new role amid ongoing discussions in Ottawa regarding foreign interference.
Following his victory in the 2024 election, Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with trade and security among the topics discussed. Trade was a central focus of the conversation, including tariffs Canada has imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum, as well as other trade issues involving China and concerns about fentanyl in the U.S. market.
Trump’s statement also highlighted his administration’s negotiation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) during his first term, with Trump’s former ambassador to Canada, Kelly Craft, noting that Trump may seek to make adjustments to the agreement, which is set for review in 2026. Craft also suggested that Trump might push Canada to accelerate its timeline for meeting NATO defense spending commitments, with Trudeau pledging to spend 2% of GDP on defense by 2032.
Before Hoekstra can officially assume the role of ambassador, he will need confirmation from the U.S. Senate, a process expected to occur in early 2025. The current U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Cohen, has held the position since 2021.
