Donald Trump Nominates Pete Hoekstra as U.S. Ambassador to Canada

The former Michigan congressman and ambassador to the Netherlands awaits Senate confirmation for the key diplomatic role.

Pete Hoekstra, a former Michigan congressman and chair of the Republican Party, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to Canada.
Hoekstra previously served as ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term and chaired the House Intelligence Committee during his time in Congress.
The nomination is seen as a signal of the importance of Canada-U.S. relations, with both trade and security issues expected to be central to Hoekstra's role if confirmed.
Trump highlighted Hoekstra's experience and his role in supporting the renegotiation of NAFTA into the USMCA, emphasizing plans to revisit the trade agreement during his second term.
Canadian officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, expressed optimism about working with Hoekstra to advance shared priorities and strengthen bilateral ties.