Transcript: Canadian ambassador Kirsten Hillman on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Jan. 25, 2026

The next is the transcript of the interview with Kirsten Hillman, the Canadian ambassador to the U.S., that can 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 occurring within the relationship between our two nations. We’re so deeply built-in right here on commerce, you purchase extra from the U.S. than some other nation. Now we have the world’s longest land border. Now we have shared protection pursuits by 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 isn’t any 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 you realize, built-in provide chains are good, that working collectively on strategic points is- are necessary, that looking for one another in necessary 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, I’ve little question about that, however it’s yeah, it is a difficult time. 

MARGARET BRENNAN

Nicely, you realize, 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 mentioned it did need to be part of? 

AMB HILLMAN

So we had expressed an curiosity within the Board of Peace a lot of weeks in the past, and basically, a Board of Peace that’s looking for to search out peace, particularly, 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 return out and- and our authorities was contemplating it, however hadn’t- hadn’t actually decided. However I believe that- that actually, I believe that an important factor to say right here, from the attitude of Canada, is that we’ve got at all times and can at all times be selling peace and stability and human rights all over the world. We’ll do it with our allies in varied fora, at NATO, on the U.N. bilaterally with like minded nations. 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 obtainable 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

Nicely, we’re deep supporters of the United Nations. We really feel that it is, you realize, 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 necessary to the globe is significant. And as I say, NATO is significant, and we work with our EU counterparts and EU-Canada, you realize, safety discussions and in- in varied different configurations. So in all probability all of those completely different fora are- are important. The Board of Peace has but to be absolutely, 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 deal with 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 US. You are speaking about what individuals obtain at house, everybody has native politics, so when one thing like that’s mentioned, do you concern that that is beginning not only a spat, however this is sort of a generational break up between our two nations, like, how are individuals 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- you realize, focusing our consideration on what we are able to management as a nation for ourselves and our personal economic system and our personal safety and our personal relationships all over the world. America is at all times going to be an important companion. Geography, as you mentioned in your opener, 5,500 miles of border, deep ties, hundreds of thousands of Canadians and People that work collectively each day, that- that you realize, do analysis and research and have households throughout the border so that- that’s there, and that’s one thing that I really assume brings energy to the connection at occasions the place, you realize, in other- at different ranges, and perhaps on the political degree, it- it is extra difficult.

MARGARET BRENNAN  

It is very 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 US?

AMB HILLMAN

Nicely, I believe that there are considerations globally for- by our authorities, that we’ve got establishments and norms, guidelines which have ruled our nations, yours, mine, and all like minded nations 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 assessments, and for us, for our nation, for our prime minister, you realize, there are necessary 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 robust 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’ve got had an extended profession right here in the US, deeply concerned with commerce particularly. You helped to barter that free commerce deal often called USMCA through the first Trump administration. President Trump was requested about it, January 13. He mentioned, I actually do not care when it comes to 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 isn’t doomed. That’s my view. All three nations, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico did broad consultations, nationwide consultations, with their enterprise communities particularly, on what- how that settlement works for them. And actually with out exception, the American feedback again have been certain we would prefer to perhaps replace this or change this slightly bit, however job primary is to do no hurt to this settlement, which is the financial basis of our continental partnership and results in essential U.S. competitiveness, and Canadian and Mexican competitiveness vis-a-vis different components 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 individuals within the constituencies for whom that instrument was drawn up, they usually’re saying, that is important to us, do no hurt.

MARGARET BRENNAN 

So do you assume there is a bilateral commerce deal right here? Is that what the Trump administration goes for, relatively than the three approach deal or–

AMB HILLMAN

I- you realize, I believe- I- I- we hear- we hear that typically, we hear various things. It is very important do not forget that even inside that settlement, there are a whole lot of bilateral parts, however there is- there are benefits to doing issues trilaterally. There’s a whole lot of provide chain motion that occurs between our three nations. And when you, when you break it into two, you would have completely different guidelines and disconnects there which might be inefficient for enterprise. So we’re driven- look, Canada can be pushed by what one of the best 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, you realize, 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 US. 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 US. You already know, we’ve got a commerce settlement that had us just about tariff free between our two nations, and now we’ve got very critical tariffs on metal, aluminum, autos, lumber, and that is inflicting a whole lot of challenges inside our nation. There are individuals which might be dropping their jobs. There are industries which might be being reoriented, and it’s totally tough. So that’s seen as, sure, unpredictable.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However fortress North America had been an thought. I imply, the treasury secretary talked about it, that the US, Mexico, Canada, we might get up collectively, you realize, have shared values, and stand as much as China. That appears useless, if Canada is admittedly describing a brand new alliance right here with Beijing. 

AMB HILLMAN: Nicely, I believe- I believe we’ve got to place this in perspective. The- the settlement that we did with China a couple of weeks in the past was a really centered 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 every of 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 once they re-established market entry for U.S. soy farmers, and in alternate, rolled again some tariffs and costs. So this can be a very pragmatic, very centered method. I believe it is necessary to place it in context.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However even Ontario’s premier mentioned that is letting Chinese language “spy automobiles” into your nation. I believe he means electrical autos that can be cheaply made in China. Are you anxious about changing 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 autos made in China. Lots 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 

Nicely, 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: Nicely–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –and feedback like that? 

AMB HILLMAN: I believe it is necessary to let Albertans and Canadians handle their very own very delicate home, you realize, politics themselves. I believe that that is in all probability smart counsel. Having grown up in Alberta, you realize, it is a- it is a- it is a province that has numerous robust views about the way in which by which it interacts with the remainder of the nation, as do different components of our nation. And people are necessary 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 need to ask you what your prime minister mentioned at Davos. He obtained a standing ovation for this speech. He described a ruptured international 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.

[SOUND ON TAPE BEGINS] 

MARK CARNEY, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: Cease invoking rules-based worldwide order as if it nonetheless features 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.

[SOUNDS ON TAPE ENDS] 

MARGARET BRENNAN: He mentioned, when you’re not on the desk, then you definitely’re on the menu. What does this new world order appear to be?

AMB HILLMAN

Nicely, 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 by which guidelines that ruled each participant within the globe, each nation have been perhaps not completely abided by, as he mentioned, perhaps not at all times precisely exercised as one would hope, however nonetheless have been ample to type the idea of the prosperity, the soundness, the predictability that all of us used to maximise peace and stability and- and maximize financial actuality. So we’re transferring away our financial advantages, and we’re transferring away from that, and we’ve got to- nations like ours, have to determine what which means for us. I believe that what it does imply for us is that we will not stroll away from our ideas. 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 identical 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 presumably can inside our personal economies, and a part of which means partaking pragmatically with a broad array of nations all over the world, in commerce agreements, in funding relationships and in partnerships.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Seems like Canada is selecting off our pals.

AMB HILLMAN: You already know, I- no, I believe Canada is making an attempt to verify that it’s the most resilient it may be for our personal profit.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I am being instructed that President Trump posted on social media only a few moments in the past that Canada is in opposition to the Golden Dome over Greenland and has voted in opposition to 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 challenge, which is not but constructed, however it’s speculated to be missile- layered missile protection, as I perceive it. Are you aware 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 known as over-the-horizon radar, which is a system that permits 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 by which our completely different capabilities can work collectively in order that we’ve got eyes on the area and we cooperate in a approach that protects each of our nations.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So the president has described that as Canada eager to plug in to the system. As you perceive it, that is the higher description, your personal system that may coordinate?

AMB HILLMAN: Proper. A lot as we do throughout all types 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- in brief, you do assume there must be extra concentrate on 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 companion at NATO. The one time that NATO’s Article 5 was ever invoked, and you realize 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. Here is what President Trump mentioned.

[SOUND ON TAPE BEGINS] 

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We have by no means wanted them. Now we have by no means actually requested something of them. You already know, they’re going to say they despatched some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. They usually did. They stayed slightly again, little off the entrance traces.

[SOUNDS ON TAPE ENDS] 

MARGARET BRENNAN   

He was talking about all NATO troops. However we did examine 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 individuals at house?

AMB HILLMAN: You already know, I believe what’s most necessary is that we all know what our Canadians have completed, 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 tough 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.