President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to Ottawa, Peter Hoekstra, emphasized his commitment to respecting Canada's sovereignty during his Senate confirmation hearing. Hoekstra, a former Republican House of Representatives member from Michigan, pointed out that "Canada is a sovereign state" in response to a question from Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware.
Alongside Hoekstra, Ronald Johnson's nomination as ambassador to Mexico and George Glass as ambassador to Japan were also positively received during their Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings. The nominees highlighted the importance of fostering positive relationships with Canada, Mexico, and Japan – key trading partners of the United States.
Johnson expressed interest in strengthening U.S.-Mexican trade relations while not ruling out the possibility of unilateral U.S. military action in Mexico to protect American citizens if necessary. This stance was met with disagreement from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who emphasized Mexico's sovereignty.
Meanwhile, discussions with Japan focused on the financial contributions for the U.S. military presence in the region. Glass advocated for a potential increase in Japan's support, citing the growing need to address Chinese military advancements and the costly nature of maintaining a strong defense posture in the region.
Overall, the nominees underscored the importance of maintaining strong alliances with these countries, emphasizing collaboration and shared interests in trade and security matters.