On Tuesday, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, announced her plans to resign next year amid a review of trade agreements with two of Canada’s key partners.
In her letter, Hillman mentioned that it’s a suitable moment to find someone new to lead the discussions regarding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is set for consideration in 2026.
Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged that Hillman had laid the groundwork for Canada’s upcoming evaluation of the agreement.
Carney pointed out that Hillman is among the longest-serving ambassadors in Canadian history to the U.S.
Hillman was appointed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2017, becoming the first woman to hold this position.
During her tenure, she played a vital role in trade negotiations throughout President Trump’s first term and facilitated efforts for the release of two Canadians detained in China.
Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc joined Hillman in discussions with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamison Greer.
The U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, expressed on social media that Hillman was a highly respected figure in U.S.-Canada relations. He wished her well in her next steps, stating she would be missed.
In a notable incident, trade talks between President Trump and Carney ended abruptly in October when the Ontario government ran ads against tariffs in the U.S., which displeased Trump. This led to tensions over Trump’s comment suggesting Canada should become the 51st state, although those tensions have since eased.
When asked about the potential for resuming trade negotiations, Trump responded, “We’ll see.”
Canada relies heavily on trade, with over 75% of its exports heading to the U.S. Most of these exports benefit from exemptions under the USMCA agreement, which is slated for review.
Secretary Carney is aiming to double trade with nations outside the U.S. in the next decade.
Significantly, around 60% of U.S. crude oil imports and 85% of electricity imports originate from Canada. Additionally, Canada is the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum, and uranium to the U.S. and possesses critical minerals and metals vital for national security, which the Department of Defense actively invests in.
