As Donald Trump continues to float the idea of Canada becoming a U.S. state, a Canadian professor is urging the federal government to take a strong diplomatic stand by blocking Trump’s ambassador to Canada.
University of Victoria international relations professor Will Greaves argues that Ottawa should refuse to accept Pete Hoekstra, Trump’s chosen envoy, until the U.S. president ceases his rhetoric about annexing Canada. “This is an overt, aggressive policy shift. If we are remotely serious about our sovereignty, we should treat it as a hostile action and respond accordingly,” Greaves said.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada is economically dependent on the U.S. and has threatened policies that could cripple the Canadian auto sector. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially dismissed these remarks as jokes, he later acknowledged to business leaders that Trump’s threats are serious, driven by Canada’s resource wealth.
Blocking a foreign ambassador is an extraordinary diplomatic move, typically reserved for serious international disputes. Some experts, such as former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson, caution against the idea, arguing that an American ambassador is Canada’s best channel for influencing the White House. “It would be cutting off our nose to spite our face,” Robertson said, adding that Hoekstra, as a former Michigan congressman, understands cross-border trade and could serve as a key advocate for Canada in the administration.
Despite concerns about potential U.S. retaliation, Greaves insists that Canada must take a firm stance to uphold its independence. He also suggested barring Trump from the G7 summit in Alberta, questioning why Canada should host a leader who openly challenges its sovereignty.
While the federal government has yet to comment on these proposals, the debate highlights growing unease over Trump’s aggressive posture toward Canada and the broader implications for diplomatic relations between the two countries.
