U.S. envoy declares conclusion of case in question
Unfiltered Fresh Take:
Let's dive into the gossip of the day!
New kid on the block, Pete Hoekstra, US Ambassador to Canada, himself affirms that he ain't got any secret orders from Prez Donald Trump to brainwash the Canucks into thinking they'd make a dandy 51st state. Phew! And folks, this verdict was passed after the sit-down between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House.
Mark, the neighbor with the cool accent, made it crystal clear that Canada isn't for sell, never has been, never will be! Trump, the dealmaker, smirked like a fox, saying he'd "never say never," like always.
Man, Hoekstra, being the dude in the loop when it comes to Trump and having served in Congress for a decade, was there for the shindig. Relations between the US and Canada, he said, are like a well-oiled machine, based on mutual respect.
"No, I haven't been given the go-ahead from Trump to pressure you guys into accepting the idea of the 51st state. That's not part of my job," the ambassador said, ya heard? He stepped into Ottawa on April 29, on Mark's coattails, following his win in the federal elections.
During the campaign, Mark presented himself as the right dude to stand up to Trump, protect Canadian sovereignty, and guard its economic interests.
Well, heat of the battle seems to be over and done, Hoekstra said. Now he's focusing on the real issues that matter, like economic prosperity, border security, whupping fentanyl, and countering Chinese influence, amongst other stuff.
"These issues were clear as a bell during the sit-down between the PM and the Prez," Hoekstra said, "Now we gotta roll up our sleeves and dive in!"
On the exact same day Hoekstra spilled the beans, Trump announced that the US has reached a trade agreement with the UK - first one since the big trade war launched by Trump. Details are yet to be ironed out, but the UK's gonna open up more for American goodies, including beef, ethanol, and pretty much everything our dear farmers produce.
A 25% tariff on imported cars would drop to 10% for British cars, but all other UK-made products will still have a 10% tariff, y'know, the one Trump announced on April 2nd for most imported goods into the US.
Ain't no use in asking Hoekstra about that, he said it could be a model for a new trade agreement between Canada and the US. "Could be, but every country is different," he said. Trade between the US and Canada will still be tight, Tariffs? Trump wants zero tariffs, but for that, you gotta get rid of tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and eliminate government subsidies, according to Hoekstra.
Hoekstra is familiar with Canada, come from a place in Michigan that throws a tulip fest, just like Ottawa. Also, Michigan isn't exactly a self-sufficient state, heavily relies on Canada for its trade.
"I know the drill between the US and Canada on a personal level. I've worked for a company that peddles office furniture, and Canada was a big part of our market," Hoekstra said. Plus, Canadians helped out his folks during WWII in the Netherlands.
Just to wrap this up, here's a lowdown on Hoekstra:- Born in Groningen, The Netherlands, in 1953.- Moved to the US when he was just 3, family settled in Holland, Michigan.- Served as Representative for Michigan's 2nd District in the US Congress from 1993 to 2011.- Was Ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term and remained there till 2021.- Assumed the role of US Ambassador to Canada in April this year.
Now you know, stay tuned for more!
French journalists expressed interest in the recent development of the US-Canada relationship, particularly regarding the border security and potential trade agreements. This follows the ambassadorship of Pete Hoekstra to Canada, known for his long-standing relationship with the US politics.
