The actions of the U.S. ambassador to Canada have sparked discontent among many Canadians. A House of Commons petition, signed by over 225,000 individuals, calls for the declaration of Pete Hoekstra as persona non grata, a rare diplomatic measure to expel an ambassador from the country. Canadian diplomat Jeremy Kinsman, who served in key roles such as ambassador to Moscow, London, and the EU, believes that Hoekstra’s behavior does not meet the threshold for such drastic action, reserved for cases of egregious misconduct and direct interference in Canadian affairs. However, Kinsman is critical of Hoekstra’s approach, stating that the Trump administration’s message, delivered by an undiplomatic messenger like Hoekstra, is causing friction with Canada.
In the realm of diplomacy, Kinsman emphasizes the importance of separating the messenger from the message. He highlights that Hoekstra’s expressions of frustration and grievance towards Canada are perceived as unconventional and offensive by Canadians. The U.S. Embassy has refrained from commenting extensively on the petition.
Meanwhile, former American diplomats have expressed concern over the conduct of certain ambassadors appointed during the Trump era. The appointment of controversial ambassadors or leaving key diplomatic posts vacant has raised eyebrows. The reliance on special envoys, including private citizens like Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, for crucial foreign affairs missions has bypassed traditional diplomatic channels, leading to concerns about transparency and diplomatic protocols.