QUEBEC – The U. S. ambassador to Canada isn’t backing down after sharing President Donald Trump’s recent comment about Canada being the 51st state, and he believes it could be an intriguing topic for discussion.
As he arrived for a meeting with Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette on Wednesday, Pete Hoekstra stated that his role is to represent the president and promote his views.
“I’ve said that ever since I’ve been here (as ambassador),” Hoekstra told reporters as he entered the premier’s office. “(The 51st-state issue is) a great discussion for the president and the prime minister to have.”
“They will set that policy. I have no instructions on the 51st state. If the president and the prime minister want to have that discussion, they can have that discussion.”
Trump made his latest remark regarding Canada becoming the 51st state on Monday evening via a Truth Social post discussing a report about Canada’s economic challenges.
He wrote: “51st state!”
Hoekstra, a loyal supporter of Trump who has previously made controversial remarks about Canadians, shared this post while Canadian officials were traveling to Washington for trade negotiations.
This reshare coincided with Hoekstra’s arrival in Quebec City for a three-day visit. On Monday, he participated in a panel focused on U. S.-Canada trade organized by the Fédération des chefs d’entreprises du Québec.
Hoekstra justified sharing the post by saying it’s part of routine policy.
“Mechanically, I don’t do all the reposting and retweeting myself,” Hoekstra explained. “My understanding is we repost 100 percent of the president’s tweets that deal with Canada.”
“I represent the president of the United States. He sent that tweet out Monday. We retweet it within 24 hours of the president sending a message, sending America’s message about how he feels about Canada and being fully transparent with Canadians about what the president says.”
“I represent the president of the United States of America. My job is to promote America’s views and those of the president of the United States, not my personal views.”
The meeting between Hoekstra and Fréchette lasted around an hour. Fréchette has been closely monitoring ongoing trade disputes with the United States for several weeks now.
Her first trip outside Canada after becoming premier in April was to Washington, where she successfully arranged a meeting with U. S. Trade Representative overseeing updates to CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement).
On her way to question period after meeting with Hoekstra, Fréchette carefully chose her words, avoiding any mention of the controversial 51st-state comment.
“It was a good meeting,” she remarked, adding she emphasized creating a stable framework for trade between Quebec and its southern neighbor.
“I reminded him how significant we are for Americans when it comes to aluminum, softwood lumber, steel links-these are sectors he recognized as important,” Fréchette told reporters waiting in the hallway.
“So I was very pleased with this meeting. My message was we need to lower tariffs.”
A few minutes before their meeting began, Louise Blais, Quebec’s representative at CUSMA talks also addressed reporters.
Blais expressed disappointment regarding Hoekstra’s reshare.
“And timing wasn’t great either,” Blais stated. “But we can’t get sidetracked by all this noise created by a president who has his own way of operating.”
“We must stay focused on our goals as (Prime Minister Mark Carney) mentioned yesterday. We shouldn’t fall into any traps.”
Blais noted that overall Hoekstra’s visit went well but added public statements don’t always reflect private discussions.
The following day Carney responded cautiously when asked about Hoekstra’s reshare.
“It’s an administration we need to work with,” he said in Longueuil. “It represents our largest trading relationship and security partnership.” This isn’t Hoekstra’s first controversy; back in September 2025 during an event in Halifax, he sparked backlash by expressing disappointment over anti-American sentiments among Canadians due to U. S. tariffs.
“I’m disappointed I came to Canada – where it seems really hard to find Canadians who are passionate about American-Canadian relations.
“You ran an anti-American campaign- elbows up mentality-that continues today which is disheartening.” Later that fall he engaged in an angry public confrontation involving Ontario trade representative David Paterson. Hoekstra’s rapport with Canadians has deteriorated so much that back in February a petition emerged urging officials review his conduct; if found lacking respect towards diplomatic protocols it suggested considering his removal. Supported by federal MP Alexandre Boulerice who plans on running for Québec solidaire in upcoming elections this petition gathered over 17 thousand signatures as reported on Wednesday. Philip Authier joined The Gazette in 1989 covering mainly Quebec politics along side governmental affairs. Originally from Sherbrooke , Philip serves as Gazette reporter focusing National Assembly activities held within Quebec City. pauthier
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“It’s an administration we need to work with,” he said in Longueuil. “It represents our largest trading relationship and security partnership.” This isn’t Hoekstra’s first controversy; back in September 2025 during an event in Halifax, he sparked backlash by expressing disappointment over anti-American sentiments among Canadians due to U. S. tariffs.
“I’m disappointed I came to Canada – where it seems really hard to find Canadians who are passionate about American-Canadian relations.
“You ran an anti-American campaign- elbows up mentality-that continues today which is disheartening.” Later that fall he engaged in an angry public confrontation involving Ontario trade representative David Paterson. Hoekstra’s rapport with Canadians has deteriorated so much that back in February a petition emerged urging officials review his conduct; if found lacking respect towards diplomatic protocols it suggested considering his removal. Supported by federal MP Alexandre Boulerice who plans on running for Québec solidaire in upcoming elections this petition gathered over 17 thousand signatures as reported on Wednesday. Philip Authier joined The Gazette in 1989 covering mainly Quebec politics along side governmental affairs. Originally from Sherbrooke , Philip serves as Gazette reporter focusing National Assembly activities held within Quebec City. pauthier
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