Trump’s hidden feud with Canada exposed by top US diplomat

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Several developments point to an escalating dispute:

1. Trade talks between the U.S. and Canada have been terminated by Trump after an ad campaign by Canada’s Ontario province criticised U.S. tariffs.
2. The U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, is reported to have launched a profane tirade at Ontario’s trade representative over the ad campaign, signalling personal and diplomatic tension.
3. Trump has made provocative remarks about Canada — including making Canada the “51st state”, and warning about large tariffs if Canada collaborates with the EU in “economic harm” to the U.S.
4. Canada’s leadership is publicly rebelling: for example, the new Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to the “51st state” line stressing “some places are not for sale”.
5. A top diplomat (the ambassador Hoekstra) has basically exposed the personal level of strain: the tirade, the tariffs, the “natural conflict” language from Trump.

🔍 Why it matters

• Allied relations at stake: The U.S. and Canada have been among the closest of allies, with deep trade, defence, and cultural links. A breakdown like this is unusual for such a pair.
• Trade & economy: The dispute is not just rhetoric — tariffs, renegotiated deals, and trade termination directly impact industries, jobs, businesses in both countries.
• Diplomatic norms: Ambassador Hoekstra’s reported conduct and the open airing of grievances suggests norms of diplomatic decorum are being stretched.
• Geopolitical signal: If the U.S. treats Canada this way, it signals how the U.S. might treat other allies or trade partners. It may shift perceptions of reliability, alignment, and mutual trust.
• Internal political play: For Trump, this may bolster his “America First” posture. For Canada, the stance is about defending sovereignty and resisting perceived bullying.

🧭 What’s behind the “hidden feud”

The “hidden feud” consists of both public-facing and more subtle elements:

• Tariffs and trade-disputes: U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods (steel, aluminium etc), Canada responding.
• Rhetoric & symbolism: Jokes or statements about annexation, becoming the 51st state, “natural conflict” language.
• Personalisation: The ambassador and the provincial trade representative conflagration shows it’s not just policy but personal friction.
• Domestic pressure: For Canada, defending public interest and sovereignty; for Trump, demonstrating toughness with allies and appealing to domestic base.
• Strategic leverage: Using trade and tariffs as levers to force concessions or highlight grievances.

📌 Key quotes

• Trump on U.S.-Canada: “We have natural conflict. We also have mutual love.”
• Ontario Premier Doug Ford calling for an apology: “absolutely unacceptable … unbecoming for an ambassador.”

🔮 What’s next / what to watch

• Will the trade talks remain terminated or will there be efforts to restart?
• Will Canada respond in kind (tariffs, legislation) or seek diplomatic repair?
• Will the U.S. impose further tariffs on Canada or escalate in other ways (e.g., border issues, dispute over natural resources)?
• Will the ambassador issue an apology or face consequences for his conduct?
• How will other allies and multilateral forums (e.g., G7) respond — will Canada garner backing or be somewhat isolated?
• Domestic political impacts in Canada: will this strengthen national unity on resisting U.S. pressure, or cause splits?
• The role of provincial actors (Ontario in particular) in international trade/diplomacy, which is somewhat unusual in this context.\

If you like, I can pull up exact transcripts or leaked diplomatic cables that reveal more of the “hidden” or behind-the-scenes aspects of this feud (which seem to be emerging). Would you like me to dig those up?

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