U.S. Ambassador weighs in on collapsed trade talks and steel layoffs

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra joins Marc Patrone for a wide-ranging interview on trade talks, steel layoffs, Mark Carney’s new ambassadorial appointment, and defence cooperation.

On today’s episode of Straight Up, Marc Patrone is joined by U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra for a wide-ranging interview on collapsed Canada–U.S. trade talks, steel layoffs, and growing economic and security pressures heading into 2026.

Hoekstra pushes back on claims that Ottawa’s recent diplomatic shuffle represents a reset in negotiations, praising outgoing Canadian ambassador Kirsten Hillman and emphasizing that talks were already nearing a breakthrough before they fell apart after Doug Ford’s U.S. TV ads.

Asked about steel layoffs following the collapse of trade talks, Hoekstra said both sides believed a deal on steel and aluminum was within reach and acknowledged that “it’s possible that those jobs could have been saved,” had an agreement been finalized.

The ambassador explains that progress on steel and aluminum would have had ripple effects for the auto sector, energy, and uranium, helping to build momentum for broader cooperation.

They also touch on Mark Carney’s new ambassadorial appointment to Washington, the future of North American trade talks, border security and fentanyl enforcement, defence cooperation — including Canada’s participation in the F-35 program — and the risks prolonged trade uncertainty poses to investment and job creation.