Advertisement 1
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Pete Hoekstra (left) was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Canada in April 2025. Bruce Heyman (right) held the role between 2014 and 2017. Photo by Brent Calver/Postmedia
Article content
A former U.S. ambassador to Canada is taking a strikingly different approach to cross-border relations than the current diplomat in office, as the trade war between the two countries continues to escalate.
Sign In or Create an Account
Email Address
Continue
or
View more offers
Article content
Bruce Heyman, who served as ambassador to Canada under U.S. president Barack Obama between 2014 and 2017, has been increasingly vocal in his support for Canada. In contrast, current U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has offended some Canadians to the point that a parliamentary petition calling for his removal has gathered more than 260,000 signatures.
Article content
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Play Video
Article content
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Both Midwesterners, Heyman grew up in Ohio and served as a managing director of private wealth management at Goldman Sachs before Obama appointed him as U.S. ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra spent most of his childhood in Michigan and is a long-serving Republican, first as a member of Congress representing Michigan’s 2nd District from 1993 to 2011.
Article content
NP Posted
Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.
There was an error, please provide a valid email address.
Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.
Article content
Ohio and Michigan are among the states most affected by the Canada-U.S. trade war. Last year, 38 per cent of all exports from Michigan and 32 per cent from Ohio went to Canada, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), with motor vehicles and parts both states’ top northbound exports.
Article content
Bought a new hat today. pic.twitter.com/rYBetn0bJy
— Bruce A. Heyman (@BruceAHeyman) September 1, 2026
Article content
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
In a series of recent posts on X, Heyman has been emphatic in his support for Canada, writing “never underestimate a Canadian,” “this American is proudly pro-Canadian,” and “love you, Canada.”
Article content
Read More
Hoekstra's comments on Gordie Howe bridge 'a punch in the face', says ex-Harper communications chief
As the petition grows, here's what would happen if Carney actually booted the U.S. ambassador
