Story perspectives

Petition Demands Hoekstra Be Declared Persona Non Grata

8/14/2026

Summary

Hoekstra Petitioned

A petition with over 116,000 signatures asks that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra be declared persona non grata.
Leanne Walker of Calgary filed the petition, sponsored by Green Party MP Elizabeth May, accusing Hoekstra of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to make Canada the 51st state.
Hoekstra called annexation a ‘great discussion’ with Prime Minister Mark Carney and warned U.S.–Canadian defense ties would change if Ottawa cancelled its F-35 jet purchase.

Summary

Canada Battles Tariffs

A 50% tariff on $20-28 billion of Canadian goods could take effect if no trade deal is reached by Aug. 19.
Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer three times in three weeks to stave off the tariffs.
President Donald Trump framed the tariffs as retaliation for “unequal treatment” of U.S. cars, dairy and alcohol.
Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that further retaliation could follow the 50% levy.

History

Historical Context

NAFTA, which took effect on Jan 1 1994, removed tariffs among the United States, Canada and Mexico, creating a $30-plus-trillion trade bloc. After Donald Trump pledged to replace it, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed Oct 1 2018 and entered force July 1 2020, updating rules on autos, digital trade and labor. The pact’s impact—IMF called it negligible—frames today’s petition against Ambassador Pete Hoekstra and proposed 50 % tariffs.

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Hoekstra Petitioned

A petition with over 116,000 signatures asks that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra be declared persona non grata.
Leanne Walker of Calgary filed the petition, sponsored by Green Party MP Elizabeth May, accusing Hoekstra of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to make Canada the 51st state.
Hoekstra called annexation a ‘great discussion’ with Prime Minister Mark Carney and warned U.S.–Canadian defense ties would change if Ottawa cancelled its F-35 jet purchase.

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