U.S. ambassador says Trump’s CUSMA remarks are an opportunity for Canada to make its case

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra said Canada should treat President Donald Trump’s comments about CUSMA as a chance to argue for its value to the United States. Speaking at a Toronto summit on Thursday, he said the U.S. still needs goods and resources from outside its borders and that Canada is well positioned to meet some of those needs. Hoekstra described the CanadaU.S. economic relationship as deeply integrated, especially in auto manufacturing, and said Canada could make a strong case in upcoming trade talks by pointing to its labor force, standards, oil and potash. He said a stronger Canada would benefit the United States, North America, and the wider world. His comments followed Trump’s statement that the U.S. does not need what Canada has and that he is not looking to renew CUSMA this summer. Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Mark Wiseman and Prime Minister Mark Carney both argued that a strong and resilient Canada is also good for the United States, and Carney said Ottawa is continuing negotiations to secure a deal that serves Canadians.