Canada-U.S. Trade War Takes Center Stage as Diplomatic Pivot in Ukraine Comes Under Scrutiny.
In a tense conversation with CBS News' Margaret Brennan, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman addressed the escalating trade tensions between her country and the U.S., warning that the ongoing tariff war is coming at a significant cost to both nations.
The tariffs, which have been on-again, off-again since 2018, have already taken a substantial toll on the Canadian economy. Hillman expressed concerns about the impact of these measures on Canada's farmers, particularly those in the dairy and poultry sectors.
But the conversation took an interesting turn when former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill joined to discuss President Trump's diplomatic pivot on Ukraine. Hill claimed that the administration had shifted its focus from a conventional Cold War approach to dealing with Russia to a more unorthodox strategy involving " shadow diplomacy" and personal relationships.
Hill described how Trump, in his dealings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, opted for a more informal and unconventional approach, which she characterized as "an unusual blend of cowboy diplomacy and backchannel communications." Hill noted that this shift marked a significant departure from the typical diplomatic protocol, where state-to-state communication is paramount.
The implications of Trump's Ukraine pivot remain unclear, but Hill emphasized that it has been a highly unconventional strategy, with limited formal diplomatic engagement. While the details are still emerging, one thing is certain: U.S.-Ukraine relations will continue to be watched closely by international observers and policymakers alike.
As tensions between Canada and the U.S. over trade policies persist, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman urged caution in her assessment, stressing that there needs to be a concerted effort to find mutually beneficial solutions that do not harm either nation's interests. With diplomacy facing numerous challenges worldwide, it will be interesting to see how these conversations evolve in the coming weeks and months.
In a tense conversation with CBS News' Margaret Brennan, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman addressed the escalating trade tensions between her country and the U.S., warning that the ongoing tariff war is coming at a significant cost to both nations.
The tariffs, which have been on-again, off-again since 2018, have already taken a substantial toll on the Canadian economy. Hillman expressed concerns about the impact of these measures on Canada's farmers, particularly those in the dairy and poultry sectors.
But the conversation took an interesting turn when former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill joined to discuss President Trump's diplomatic pivot on Ukraine. Hill claimed that the administration had shifted its focus from a conventional Cold War approach to dealing with Russia to a more unorthodox strategy involving " shadow diplomacy" and personal relationships.
Hill described how Trump, in his dealings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, opted for a more informal and unconventional approach, which she characterized as "an unusual blend of cowboy diplomacy and backchannel communications." Hill noted that this shift marked a significant departure from the typical diplomatic protocol, where state-to-state communication is paramount.
The implications of Trump's Ukraine pivot remain unclear, but Hill emphasized that it has been a highly unconventional strategy, with limited formal diplomatic engagement. While the details are still emerging, one thing is certain: U.S.-Ukraine relations will continue to be watched closely by international observers and policymakers alike.
As tensions between Canada and the U.S. over trade policies persist, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman urged caution in her assessment, stressing that there needs to be a concerted effort to find mutually beneficial solutions that do not harm either nation's interests. With diplomacy facing numerous challenges worldwide, it will be interesting to see how these conversations evolve in the coming weeks and months.