Ambassador tells Canada to don ‘sales hat’ after Trump questions future of trade pact
Written by The Canadian Press on June 11, 2026
WASHINGTON — The United States’ top diplomat in Canada says when U.S. President Donald Trump says he doesn’t need anything from America’s northern neighbour, the president is actually looking for ways to collaborate.
Speaking at the U.S.-Canada Summit in Toronto today, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra says America has “a tremendous amount” of things they need.
He pointed to Canadian potash, saying there aren’t a lot of other places the United States can get the key ingredient for fertilizer.
Hoekstra says it’s also more desirable for the United States to get resources like oil from Alberta and automobiles from Ontario.
He says Ottawa should put on its “sales hat” and make a case that it’s better for the United States to work with Canada.
The comments come after Trump Wednesday said he is “not looking to renew” the Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Agreement on trade, known as CUSMA.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2026.
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press