According to Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump finds Canada "mean and nasty" because its people boycott American liquor and tourist spots.
A non-positive message to the Americans, says Hoekstra
Speaking on the heels of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Foundation's 2025 summit on Monday, Hoekstra justified the U.S. president's irritation. "That’s their business — I don’t like it, but if that’s what they want to do, that’s fine. They want to ban American alcohol... that’s fine. It doesn’t necessarily send real positive signals in terms of their treating us well," can be heard in the recording of the conference obtained by Global News.
Reasons for Trump's displeasure
"There are reasons why the president and some of his team refer to Canada as being mean and nasty to deal with, OK, because of some of those steps," added the American ambassador.
35% tariffs
In a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Donald Trump has threatened to impose 35% tariffs on Canadian products not included in the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement as early as August 1. This is the new deadline for Canada-US trade negotiations, which should have been completed by now.
Trump increases pressure on Camadsa
"We haven't really had lot of luck with Canada. I think Canada might be one of the where they just pay tariffs, and not really any negotiations. We don't have a deal with Canada," Trump told reporters outside the White House.
LeBlanc encouraged by meeting with Howard Lutnick
However, following a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he was "encouraged" by what he described as a "productive" exchange.
"keep it up," says David Eby
According to David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, who said he received the recording from an attendee at the "Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Foundation", Donald Trump's displeasure proves that Canadians' boycott efforts are having an "impact": "I would tell my fellow Canadians to keep it up (...) We will not accept these attacks on our jobs, our economy and our sovereignty," Eby told Global News.
The ban on the sale of American alcohol
British Columbia is among the provinces that have banned the sale of American alcohol in public stores after President Trump imposed high tariffs on goods from Canada.