The art of the deal: Ambassador Kirsten Hillman a deft hand in navigating Canada’s relationship with Trump

The Canadian ambassador to the U.S. has performed ‘heroically’ as she works to deliver the country’s message to a White House set on upending its relationships with allies, say former envoys.

Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, right, greets U.S. President Donald Trump, second left, as ministers Mélanie Joly, right, and David McGuinty look on during a May 6 visit to the White House. PMO photograph by Lars Hagberg

Feature

BY CHRISTOPHER GULY

June 11, 2025

Within Canada’s diplomatic corps, Kirsten Hillman is by far the highest-profile ambassador, and one with the yeoman’s task of preserving—if not saving—the Canada-United States relationship that suffered a significant hit earlier this year when President Donald Tr...

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