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The next is the transcript of the interview with Kirsten Hillman, the Canadian ambassador to the U.S., that may air on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Jan. 25, 2026.
This interview was recorded on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
MARGARET BRENNAN
So so much is happening within the relationship between our two international locations. We’re so deeply built-in right here on commerce, you purchase extra from the U.S. than another nation. We’ve got the world’s longest land border. We’ve got shared protection pursuits by way of NATO, shared air protection with NORAD. Are we like in the course of a divorce? Like, how do you describe the connection?
AMB HILLMAN
I- I- we’re not in the course of a divorce, however we’re in the course of a change. There is no query about it. I believe that we’re discovering ourselves, fairly frankly, in- in a state of affairs the place a few of the foundations which have ruled our relationship for a very long time, that , built-in provide chains are good, that working collectively on strategic points is- are vital, that searching for one another in vital methods is- is a primary precedence. I believe in some quarters, Canadians really feel that these foundations are being examined. We are going to adapt. We are going to make it by way of, I’ve little question about that, but it surely’s yeah, it is a difficult time.
MARGARET BRENNAN
Properly, , Canada had agreed to affix this Board of Peace that President Trump introduced out at Davos, after which in a single day Thursday, the president disinvited Canada. Is this sort of public snub interfering within the relationship, and- and what does that point out to you about what this Board of Peace is that Canada had stated it did wish to be part of?
AMB HILLMAN
So we had expressed an curiosity within the Board of Peace a variety of weeks in the past, and primarily, a Board of Peace that’s in search of to seek out peace, specifically, in Gaza and stability, is one thing that Canada was very a lot supportive of. The- the parameters of that Board of Peace had simply actually began to come back out and- and our authorities was contemplating it, however hadn’t- hadn’t actually decided. However I believe that- that truthfully, I believe that crucial factor to say right here, from the angle of Canada, is that we’ve got all the time and can all the time be selling peace and stability and human rights around the globe. We’ll do it with our allies in varied fora, at NATO, on the U.N. bilaterally with like minded international locations. So we’re not going to alter that and- and we are going to give it our all in- in any fora that- that’s out there to us.
MARGARET BRENNAN
It- It is type of now described as an alternative choice to the United Nations. Is that one thing you are snug with?
AMB HILLMAN
Properly, we’re deep supporters of the United Nations. We really feel that it is, , it isn’t good, no giant establishment is, however having a spot the place the entire world can get collectively and categorical their views on points which might be vital to the globe is significant. And as I say, NATO is significant, and we work with our EU counterparts and EU-Canada, , safety discussions and in- in varied different configurations. So most likely all of those completely different fora are- are important. The Board of Peace has but to be totally, I believe, understood, and we’ll see- we’ll- we’ll see the place that goes, however the outcomes are what matter to Canada.
MARGARET BRENNAN
So your prime minister gave a nationwide handle on Thursday, and I perceive he denounced authoritarianism and exclusion. He didn’t point out President Trump by identify, however he did rebuke the declare that Trump made at Davos, that Canada lives due to the USA. You are speaking about what folks obtain at house, everybody has native politics, so when one thing like that’s stated, do you worry that that is beginning not only a spat, however this is sort of a generational cut up between our two international locations, like, how are folks receiving this at house?
AMB HILLMAN
Look, I believe Canadians- Canadians know that Canada lives due to Canadians, as a result of what Canadians do for Canada, and proper now, that is the place we’re making an attempt to focus our consideration. By doing what- , focusing our consideration on what we are able to management as a nation for ourselves and our personal financial system and our personal safety and our personal relationships around the globe. America is all the time going to be an important accomplice. Geography, as you stated in your opener, 5,500 miles of border, deep ties, thousands and thousands of Canadians and People that work collectively every single day, that- that , do analysis and examine and have households throughout the border so that- that’s there, and that’s one thing that I truly suppose brings energy to the connection at occasions the place, , in other- at different ranges, and possibly on the political stage, it- it is extra difficult.
MARGARET BRENNAN
It’s extremely difficult. I imply, it- it is virtually unthinkable {that a} phrase like authoritarianism and exclusion that that could possibly be considered referring to the chief of the president of the USA?
AMB HILLMAN
Properly, I believe that there are issues globally for- by our authorities, that we’ve got establishments and norms, guidelines which have ruled our international locations, yours, mine, and all like minded international locations for generations which might be actually being examined, actually being examined. And- and I believe what issues is how we react within the face of those checks, and for us, for our nation, for our prime minister, , there are vital implications for our nation. And he’s- he is making an attempt to articulate a imaginative and prescient. And I believe he’s articulating a really sturdy imaginative and prescient for a way we should adapt. And once more, it’s- it is about being pragmatic and principled, and that’s- that is what we will proceed to be.
MARGARET BRENNAN
You have got had an extended profession right here in the USA, deeply concerned with commerce specifically. You helped to barter that free commerce deal generally known as USMCA throughout the first Trump administration. President Trump was requested about it, January 13. He stated, I actually do not care by way of renewing it, there isn’t any actual benefit. We do not want Canada merchandise right here. Is that free commerce deal doomed?
AMB HILLMAN
No, it’s not doomed. That’s my view. All three international locations, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico did broad consultations, nationwide consultations, with their enterprise communities specifically, on what- how that settlement works for them. And actually with out exception, the American feedback again have been certain we would prefer to possibly replace this or change this somewhat bit, however job primary is to do no hurt to this settlement, which is the financial basis of our continental partnership and results in crucial U.S. competitiveness, and Canadian and Mexican competitiveness vis-a-vis different elements of this world. So I believe there’s- I believe that we’ve got to imagine that our political leaders are going to be listening to the folks within the constituencies for whom that instrument was drawn up, they usually’re saying, that is very important to us, do no hurt.
MARGARET BRENNAN
So do you suppose there is a bilateral commerce deal right here? Is that what the Trump administration goes for, quite than the three means deal or–
AMB HILLMAN
I- , I believe- I- I- we hear- we hear that generally, we hear various things. It is very important do not forget that even inside that settlement, there are a number of bilateral parts, however there is- there are benefits to doing issues trilaterally. There’s a number of provide chain motion that occurs between our three international locations. And when you, when you break it into two, you may have completely different guidelines and disconnects there which might be inefficient for enterprise. So we’re driven- look, Canada will likely be pushed by what the most effective factor to do is, as I say, for the businesses and constituencies which might be counting on that settlement to create jobs.
MARGARET BRENNAN
Since you heard the commerce secretary say at Davos, , globalism is not working. I imply, these free commerce offers are a part of that globalism. And it was only a week in the past, your prime minister was in Beijing, and he described Canada’s relationship with China as extra predictable than its relationship with the USA. He actually meant extra predictable than the Trump administration’s United States.
AMB HILLMAN
Look, there isn’t any query that the final variety of months have been unpredictable for us in our relationship with the USA. You understand, we’ve got a commerce settlement that had us just about tariff free between our two international locations, and now we’ve got very critical tariffs on metal, aluminum, autos, lumber, and that is inflicting a number of challenges inside our nation. There are folks which might be shedding their jobs. There are industries which might be being reoriented, and it’s extremely troublesome. So that’s seen as, sure, unpredictable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However fortress North America had been an concept. I imply, the treasury secretary talked about it, that the USA, Mexico, Canada, we might get up collectively, , have shared values, and stand as much as China. That appears useless, if Canada is basically describing a brand new alliance right here with Beijing.
AMB HILLMAN: Properly, I believe- I believe we’ve got to place this in perspective. The- the settlement that we did with China a number of weeks in the past was a really targeted and surgical settlement that was largely, or virtually solely, designed to de-escalate some tariff escalation that had occurred over the previous yr and a bit. So over the previous yr and a bit, China had put very punitive tariffs on Canadian agricultural merchandise and fish and seafood, shutting Canadians out from one in all their main markets, if not for a few of them, their main market. And so we went to Beijing to re-establish market entry for our farmers and our fishers. It is precisely what the U.S. administration did in October after they re-established market entry for U.S. soy farmers, and in trade, rolled again some tariffs and charges. So it is a very pragmatic, very targeted method. I believe it is vital to place it in context.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However even Ontario’s premier stated that is letting Chinese language “spy vehicles” into your nation. I believe he means electrical automobiles that will likely be cheaply made in China. Are you fearful about turning into too beholden to China and its low-cost manufacturing?
AMB HILLMAN: No, we’re not, as a result of, we- the- the auto facet of this settlement was once more to take us again to 2023, we had the importation of automobiles made in China. A lot of these have been Teslas, as a matter of reality, and we have gone again and caught to the extent of 2023 for these imports. So this is not a revolutionary new factor. That is actually simply making an attempt to roll again or de-escalate what had been escalated over the previous yr and a bit.
MARGARET BRENNAN
Properly, the treasury secretary is saying that Albertans are going to have a referendum on succeeding from Canada. He appears to be urging that. What do you make of this–
AMB HILLMAN: Properly–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –and feedback like that?
AMB HILLMAN: I believe it is vital to let Albertans and Canadians handle their very own very delicate home, , politics themselves. I believe that that is most likely sensible counsel. Having grown up in Alberta, , it is a- it is a- it is a province that has a number of sturdy views about the way in which through which it interacts with the remainder of the nation, as do different elements of our nation. And people are vital debates available, however they’re debates for our nation to have inside its personal citizenry.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It appears to be stirring the pot there a bit, however I wish to ask you what your prime minister stated at Davos. He received a standing ovation for this speech. He described a ruptured world order, the tip of a pleasant story, and the start of a brand new brutal actuality, which he described as a predatory one. Take a pay attention.
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MARK CARNEY, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: Cease invoking rules-based worldwide order as if it nonetheless capabilities as marketed. Name it what it’s: a system of intensifying nice energy rivalry, the place essentially the most highly effective pursue their pursuits utilizing financial integration as coercion.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: He stated, when you’re not on the desk, then you definately’re on the menu. What does this new world order seem like?
AMB HILLMAN
Properly, that is a great query. I imply, I believe he specified by his- his dialogue, his speech, his- his view of what’s taking place in our world. And it’s- it is a world through which guidelines that ruled each participant within the globe, each nation have been possibly not completely abided by, as he stated, possibly not all the time precisely exercised as one would hope, however nonetheless have been adequate to type the idea of the prosperity, the steadiness, the predictability that all of us used to maximise peace and stability and- and maximize financial actuality. So we’re shifting away our financial advantages, and we’re shifting away from that, and we’ve got to- international locations like ours, have to determine what meaning for us. I believe that what it does imply for us is that we will not stroll away from our rules. We will not stroll away from our perception in guidelines which might be to be abided by by everybody in the event that they decide to them. However on the similar time, we’ve got to be pragmatic and we’ve got to look inward to regulate what we are able to inside our personal economies to be as resilient as we probably can inside our personal economies, and a part of meaning participating pragmatically with a broad array of nations around the globe, in commerce agreements, in funding relationships and in partnerships.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Feels like Canada is selecting off our mates.
AMB HILLMAN: You understand, I- no, I believe Canada is making an attempt to ensure that it’s the most resilient it may be for our personal profit.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I am being advised that President Trump posted on social media just some moments in the past that Canada is towards the Golden Dome over Greenland and has voted towards it to decide on to be nearer to China. That is the way it was described to me. But President Trump had beforehand talked about Canada collaborating on this Golden Dome venture, which is not but constructed, but it surely’s purported to be missile- layered missile protection, as I perceive it. Have you learnt what he is speaking about, that Canada has rejected being concerned?
AMB HILLMAN: No, I am afraid I do not, however what I can say concerning the Golden Dome is that this, Canada is- is investing over $80 billion over the subsequent 5 years in our defens-, in our protection programs, and an enormous a part of that’s Arctic protection. And an enormous a part of our Arctic protection investments are one thing referred to as over-the-horizon radar, which is a system that enables us to see the threats which might be coming into the Arctic earlier than they arrive. So that’s part- and when we’ve got talked to the president about defending our hemisphere, we’ve got talked about methods through which our completely different capabilities can work collectively in order that we’ve got eyes on the area and we cooperate in a means that protects each of our international locations.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So the president has described that as Canada desirous to plug in to the system. As you perceive it, that is the higher description, your individual system that may coordinate?
AMB HILLMAN: Proper. A lot as we do throughout all kinds of protection programs, the place we’re interoperable. We- we work collectively. We make our investments that make sense for Canada and defending our territory and defending our sovereignty, however we work with the People and- and different allies to maximise the advantages of these.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So in- briefly, you do suppose there must be extra deal with Arctic protection, however you are on board to assist try this?
AMB HILLMAN: We’re deeply dedicated to Arctic protection. Completely.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I have to ask you about NATO, since you’re additionally a accomplice at NATO. The one time that NATO’s Article 5 was ever invoked, and this, was after the 9/11 assaults on this nation. That collective protection clause, an assault on one is an assault on all, meant that Europe and Canada, they despatched troops proper alongside American troops on the battlefield in Afghanistan. This is what President Trump stated.
[SOUND ON TAPE BEGINS]
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We have by no means wanted them. We’ve got by no means actually requested something of them. You understand, they will say they despatched some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. And so they did. They stayed somewhat again, little off the entrance traces.
[SOUNDS ON TAPE ENDS]
MARGARET BRENNAN
He was talking about all NATO troops. However we did verify and about 40,000 Canadians deployed to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014. 158 have been killed, 635 wounded in motion. What’s a comment like that do to folks at house?
AMB HILLMAN: You understand, I believe what’s most vital is that we all know what our Canadians have accomplished, and I do know that your American armed forces are deeply respectful and deeply appreciative of getting stood facet by facet with Canadians in these very, very treacherous and troublesome fights. We all know that to be true. They know that to be true, and that is what issues.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador, thanks to your time because it wraps up right here in Washington.
AMB HILLMAN: Thanks for having me.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nice to have you ever. We’ll be again in a second.
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