U.S. Ambassador Links Trade Talks to Canada’s Fighter Jet Purchase
So, here’s the situation: the future of Canada-U.S. trade talks is now being closely tied to whether Canada goes ahead with buying American F-35 fighter jets. Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, made it clear at a recent Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters conference that restarting trade discussions won’t be easy, and he stressed that Canada should try to align its economic and military policies as closely as possible with the U.S.
Right now, Canada is reviewing its plan to purchase 16 F-35 jets, with an option to buy up to 88 more. There’s also talk of potentially buying Swedish Gripen E fighters instead, as Ottawa looks to diversify its defence suppliers and strengthen its own defence industry. Hoekstra didn’t mince words, pointing out that the U.S. is watching Canada’s moves carefully, especially regarding how this review might impact the integrated North American defence supply chain.
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Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has expressed concerns that the current F-35 deal with Lockheed Martin doesn’t deliver enough economic benefits to Canadians, especially in terms of jobs. She noted that Swedish Saab promises around 10,000 jobs if Canada goes that route, which puts pressure on Lockheed Martin to step up and offer more domestic benefits.
Hoekstra, however, pushed back on these criticisms, emphasizing that Canadian suppliers have already gained significantly from producing components for the F-35. He described the fighter jet as “an international plane,” highlighting that Canadian companies have profited from past sales, including a recent $5 billion F-35 deal with Saudi Arabia. He also stressed that any Canadian decision to strengthen its domestic defence industry could affect the longstanding U.S.-Canada partnership, including joint operations under NORAD.
The ambassador didn’t stop there. He flagged U.S. concerns about political moves in Canada, specifically an Ontario-sponsored anti-tariff ad targeting President Trump’s policies, which he called interference in U.S. political affairs. He reminded Canadians that tariffs between the two countries aren’t going away anytime soon under the Trump administration, and that trade policies should be harmonized to prevent cheaper Chinese products, like steel, from undercutting North American markets.
On the Canadian side, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s office responded cautiously, saying discussions with the U.S. remain paused, but when the time is right, Canada will engage to secure a deal that works for the country. For now, it’s clear that the F-35 review isn’t just about fighter jets—it’s a pivotal factor in shaping the next chapter of Canada-U.S. economic and military relations.
In short, Hoekstra’s message was blunt: Canada’s decisions on fighter jets could define whether trade talks move forward smoothly, and aligning with U.S. priorities is now more important than ever.
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