By any measure, the Canada–U.S. relationship has seen its share of turbulence, but the latest round of trade drama under President Donald Trump has tested even the steadiest diplomats. When Trump abruptly announced that he was “terminating” trade talks with Canada over a provincial ad quoting Ronald Reagan, it seemed almost absurd that a decades-long economic partnership could be derailed by a 30-second clip. Yet, here we are again navigating the unpredictability of Trump-era trade politics.
Canada’s ambassador to Washington, Kirsten Hillman, deserves credit for maintaining composure amid the noise. Speaking before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade this week, Hillman made it clear that despite the president’s bluster, communication lines between Ottawa and Washington remain open. Her team continues to speak with officials across the White House, the State Department, Homeland Security, and the Department of Energy. The conversations may be “on pause” in formal terms, but diplomacy rarely stops just because someone says it should.
Trump’s latest tantrum stems from a Reagan-era clip warning that tariffs damage economies a statement that, ironically, rings truer than ever. Yet, instead of reflecting on that lesson, Trump doubled down, threatening an additional 10 percent tariff on Canadian goods. It’s classic political theatre part economic leverage, part ego. What’s less clear is whether these duties will ever materialize or if they’re simply another attempt to keep Canada off balance.
Still, not all signs point to hostility. Despite earlier refusals to meet, Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down for dinner in South Korea during the APEC summit. The optics matter two leaders sharing a meal amid tense negotiations signals that neither side is ready to walk away. Hillman herself confirmed that the pair exchanged words in Asia, evidence that “communication channels were still open at the highest level.”
The irony, of course, is that just weeks ago, Trump praised Carney at the White House, boasting that Canada would leave the meeting happy. No deal came from that encounter, but progress was made. Hillman noted that trade talks had become “much more intensive,” almost daily in some stretches. It’s a reminder that despite the rhetoric, there is genuine work being done behind the scenes an attempt to find what Hillman called “an off-ramp” from the damaging tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, lumber, and copper.
Trump’s tariff hikes now sitting at 35 percent are painful but not catastrophic. Thanks to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), most Canadian exports remain exempt, shielding much of our economy from the worst effects. Still, the uncertainty hurts. Businesses can’t plan around presidential tweets, and industries need stability to thrive.
What Hillman’s testimony underscored is that Canada’s strategy is one of patience, persistence, and pragmatism. She made it clear that Canada is ready to resume talks whenever Washington is. “This relationship is strong. It’s resilient,” she said and she’s right. Canada and the U.S. are too deeply intertwined, economically and culturally, for any temporary political storm to cause a permanent rupture.
Yes, Trump’s trade agenda has rattled our industries. Yes, his repeated “jokes” about making Canada the 51st state are grating. But Hillman is correct to point out that the U.S. has shifted its entire global trade approach not just with us. This is less about Canada being a special target and more about Trump’s desire to reshape trade policy on his own terms.
As Canada heads toward the 2026 CUSMA review, the priority must be clear: stay the course. Keep the review focused, ensure quick renewal, and protect market access. Above all, maintain a steady hand while the political winds in Washington shift.
In moments like these, it’s tempting to match noise with noise to respond to Trump’s outbursts with outrage. But that’s not how diplomacy works, and thankfully, that’s not how Canada operates. Hillman’s calm, measured approach is exactly what’s needed. The trade relationship is too valuable to risk over political theatrics.
Canada doesn’t need to win a shouting match. It just needs to outlast the noise something we’ve always been good at.
