U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has suggested that Canada could be held responsible if Republicans perform poorly in next week’s midterm elections, adding to already strained relations between the two nations.
According to a report by CTV News, Hoekstra made these remarks during a closed-door meeting with business leaders, stating that if key swing states like Maine and Michigan shift to Democratic control, it might complicate matters for Canada as President Trump could seek to deflect blame.
“That’s an interesting way of framing it,” Prime Minister Mark Carney responded when questioned about the allegations.
Tensions between Canada and the United States have remained high for months amid an escalating trade war, with Canada retaliating against what it calls illegal U.S. tariffs by targeting goods exported to states heavily dependent on bilateral trade.
Carney indicated that while Canada is prepared to pursue a resolution if appropriate, current negotiations are not at a stage where such an agreement is feasible.
Hoekstra, known for his controversial statements, has frequently drawn criticism in Canada—particularly regarding his comments on Trump’s suggestion that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. Last year, speaking to a Michigan radio station, he dismissed Canadian offense at the proposal as misplaced, calling it a “sign of affection.” He also previously characterized Canada’s upcoming federal election as “anti-American.”
A House of Commons petition signed by over 225,000 Canadians has called for Hoekstra’s removal, citing violations of diplomatic norms, specifically the prohibition against interference in a host nation’s domestic affairs.
Recently, Hoekstra has accused Canadian officials of meddling in U.S. elections, pointing to public criticism of tariffs by Canadian politicians in American media and a provincial anti-tariff advertisement aired on U.S. television.
“We see all of that. We are monitoring it. We are evaluating it. And if some of it becomes election interference, America will respond to it,” Hoekstra, a native of Michigan, told a Canadian podcast, urging Canadians to “keep your nose out of American politics.”
Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, who was among those criticized by Hoekstra, rejected the allegations, asserting that Canada would “never do that” and would not tolerate similar actions directed at Canada.
Speaking from Turkey, Carney dismissed the claims of interference as baseless, expressing disappointment that the U.S. envoy would make such provocations.
Roland Paris, director of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa and former advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, described Hoekstra’s comments as “extraordinary” for a diplomat and indicative of an attempt to create justification for the Trump administration’s political challenges.
“The role of an ambassador is to represent national interests, maintain communication, build relationships, and manage disputes,” Paris said. “Instead, his remarks have consistently heightened tensions rather than easing them. I don’t believe he is effectively serving American interests—or even those of his president.”
Paris referenced polling data indicating growing voter concern in the U.S. linking tariffs and economic strain to rising living costs, along with public confusion over the administration’s adversarial stance toward Canada.
“It’s certainly not working in Canada. If anything, each statement from Mr. Hoekstra appears to harden Canadian resolve to resist what many view as bullying tactics from the Trump administration,” he said. “This approach undermines American interests.”
In response, the U.S. Embassy downplayed the controversy, claiming Hoekstra’s comments were “grossly taken out of context” from a wider conversation about media narratives exaggerating the influence of Canadian issues in U.S. elections.
“Americans will decide their elections based on matters that matter most to them,” the embassy added in a statement.
The tension escalated further last year when Hoekstra delivered what witnesses describe as an expletive-laden outburst toward Ontario’s trade representative following the airing of anti-tariff advertisements featuring Ronald Reagan. Ontario’s premier condemned the incident as “absolutely unacceptable” and inappropriate behavior for an ambassador.
During a recent campaign stop in Detroit, former President Barack Obama weighed in on the ongoing conflict, jokingly labeling Canada as a “historical adversary” and mocking Trump’s fixation on the neighboring country:
“It’s your neighbor! It’s just a few minutes over the bridge. These are the people who gave us Martin Short … and maple syrup. They are the nicest people. And somehow we’ve gotten them so mad,” Obama quipped to audience laughter.