The conduct of the U.S. ambassador to Canada has caused discontent among many Canadians. A House of Commons petition with over 225,000 signatures calls for the declaration of Pete Hoekstra as persona non grata, a rare diplomatic measure to remove an ambassador from the country. Former Canadian diplomat Jeremy Kinsman, who held crucial roles such as ambassador to Moscow, London, and the EU, believes that Hoekstra’s behavior falls short of warranting such action, reserved for severe misconduct and direct interference in Canadian affairs. However, Kinsman does not hold a favorable view of Hoekstra.
Kinsman emphasizes the importance of separating the message from the messenger in diplomacy. He criticizes the Trump administration, embodied by Hoekstra, for delivering an unwelcome message through an undiplomatic messenger, expressing frustration and grievances towards Canada in a manner that Canadians find perplexing and demanding submission without question.
The U.S. Embassy has refrained from commenting further on the petition, acknowledging its existence. Some American career diplomats, like John Dinkelman, have expressed dismay over the Trump era. Dinkelman, who headed the American Foreign Service Association, highlights that diplomacy involves persuasion rather than needlessly alienating host countries.
Moreover, Kinsman draws parallels between Hoekstra’s approach and that of Chinese ambassador Lu Shaye, known for confrontational behavior during strained Canada-China relations. The proliferation of assertive “wolf warrior” diplomacy by U.S. ambassadors has led to strained relations with host countries, diminishing the country’s standing globally.
The article also addresses instances of controversial behavior by other Trump-era political ambassadors, illustrating a pattern of strained diplomatic relations. The absence of key ambassadorial appointments in critical regions has raised concerns among career diplomats about the efficacy and professionalism of U.S. diplomatic efforts. Special envoys, particularly Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, have assumed significant foreign policy roles, sidelining traditional diplomatic channels and raising questions about transparency and decision-making processes within the administration.