David Eby criticizes U.S. ambassador’s comment on Trump’s view of Canadians as “nasty,” calling it tone-deaf and evidence of growing diplomatic tension.
Canadian Premier Rebukes Remarks from U.S. Ambassador
British Columbia Premier David Eby has harshly criticized recent comments by U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, who claimed former President Donald Trump considers Canadians “nasty” to deal with due to ongoing boycotts. The comments were made during a summit in Bellevue, Washington, and have sparked diplomatic ripples between the two countries.
Incident Occurred During Cross-Border Economic Summit
The remarks were made last week at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Foundation summit. Hoekstra was responding to a question about declining Canadian travel to the U.S. as both Vancouver and Seattle prepare to co-host FIFA World Cup matches in 2026. The ambassador downplayed the issue, saying Canadians avoiding travel or U.S. alcohol was “fine,” before referencing Trump’s past characterization of Canadians as “mean and nasty.”
Audio Recording Confirms Contentious Remarks
Eby’s office confirmed it received an audience-recorded clip of Hoekstra’s statements, which were subsequently shared with the press. In the recording, Hoekstra also joked about border checks, saying he could “get alcohol across the border” with ease—comments that drew laughter from attendees but ire from Canadian officials.
Premier Eby Calls Statement Offensive and Out of Touch
Speaking to CBC’s Power and Politics from Huntsville, Ontario—where Canadian premiers gathered for a summit—Eby condemned the remarks, stating they reflect “very little awareness” from U.S. leadership about the offensive nature of their tone. He added that Trump’s pressure tactics to economically “beggar” Canada are fueling justified public backlash.
Boycotts Seen as Effective, Says B.C. Premier
Eby stated that these diplomatic tensions show Canadians’ boycott of American goods and travel is having a real impact. Since Trump imposed steep tariffs on Canadian exports, provinces like British Columbia have removed U.S. alcohol from publicly-run stores. Eby encouraged Canadians to “keep it up,” indicating that public response is resonating politically.
Canadians and Americans Still Share Mutual Respect
Despite the tension, Eby emphasized that Canadian anger is directed at political figures, not the American public. “Canadians feel the same way about everyday Americans—friendly, neighbourly, and respectful,” he said, underscoring that Trump’s posture is not representative of U.S. citizens as a whole.
Diplomatic Response Still Awaited from U.S. Officials
As of now, Hoekstra’s office has not responded to requests for comment. The Canadian federal government has also not issued an official diplomatic response, though political analysts suggest such rhetoric could influence Canada-U.S. relations, especially as the 2026 World Cup and potential U.S. presidential campaign season approach.
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