Overview

• Pete Hoekstra told a Halifax Chamber of Commerce audience he is disappointed by what he called an anti-American 'elbows up' campaign and said it has persisted.
• At a Canadian International Council event in Ottawa, he said U.S. hopes for a broader accord spanning areas like defense, nuclear and an expanded CUSMA are not happening for now.
• Industry leader Flavio Volpe criticized the envoy’s remarks as gaslighting and suggested the intended audience may be in Washington rather than Canada.
• Writer Stephen Marche urged Canadians to ignore the ambassador’s rhetoric, and Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer said Canadians naturally react to tariffs or talk of annexation.
• Hoekstra warned that invoking 'war' language is unhelpful, Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne emphasized the tariffs’ domestic impact, and Hoekstra argued Canada’s relative position has improved under the U.S. measures.