A perfect embodiment of the U.S.
government behaviours likely to kneecap Republicans in Tuesday’s midterms, surprisingly, is right here in Canada — in the person of Donald Trump’s surly envoy.
On the same day last week that former president Bill Clinton’s stated that the U.S.
has been treating Canada “like dirt,” U.S.
Ambassador Pete Hoekstra was at a Gatineau conference on space, yanking Canada’s chain by dissing its view that Trump’s trade war has contributed to a rupture in bilateral relations.
“From our perspective, No.
1, we’re not in a trade war,” Hoekstra told his listeners at a conference exploring investment opportunities in space.
“We’re negotiating some tariffs, OK? From our perspective, we haven’t ruptured.
We don’t view the relationship as ruptured.” The ambassador would have you believe, since early 2025, Canada has misinterpreted every one of Trump’s assorted insults and accusations, including a threat to make Canada part of the U.S.
Hoekstra ought to be appointed “the first U.S.
ambassador to Mars,” Albertan Jay Tighe wrote on his Facebook page after hearing of the ambassador’s remarks.
“Probably a good idea to get him on the next rocket.” The Red Planet indeed might be an ideal workplace for Hoekstra.
No one — that we know of — would be insulted by him there.
Here, he has not stopped antagonizing Canadians.
Diplomats are generally sent to foreign posts to create positive impressions of their home countries and protect national interests; to court investment opportunities and smooth out disputes.
In terms of the art of diplomacy, Hoekstra is a space cadet.
Much like the chap who appointed him.
representative has been consistently abrasive, even profane on occasion.
He dares to assert that Trump’s 51st state rhetoric is a compliment, a gesture of endearment toward Canada.
Hoekstra has also tried to bully Canadian politicians about election interference, warning on Oct.
14: “keep your nose out of American politics.” This, after the U.S.
government shoved its own honker right into....
