Mr. Trump argued in a statement that Pete Hoekstra will help him “put America first again.” In return, Mr. Hoekstra thanked Mr. Trump on the social network X, saying he was honored.
His nomination must still be confirmed by the US Senate.
Mr. Hoekstra served as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Mr. Trump’s first stay in the White House. He served in Congress from 1993 to 2011, representing a district in Michigan.
The current United States Ambassador to Canada, David Cohen, has held this position since 2021.
According to Louise Blais, a former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, the fact that Mr. Trump chose his ambassador so early in the transition process is a “good sign for Canadian-American relations.”
“In the announcement, I also note the President-elect’s positive comments on CUSMA, [l’accord commercial] with Canada and Mexico,” underlined Ms. Blais, who is a senior special advisor to the Business Council of Canada.
Equal footing
In his statement, Mr. Trump recalled that he had overhauled CUSMA’s predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he called “disastrous” and “the worst trade deal in the world.” history of the United States.
He argued that the new agreement put trade with Mexico and Canada on an equal footing.
Former United States Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, who served under the Obama administration, also believes that Pete Hoekstra’s appointment should be good news for Canadian-American relations.
Mr. Heyman, who held the position from 2014 to 2017, wrote on X that Mr. Hoekstra is experienced, adding that he will have first-hand knowledge and understanding of Canada since he comes from a border state.
Mr. Heyman also mentioned that the quick appointment shows the importance of the relationship between the two countries.
