Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, plans to step down from her role early in the new year. The Canadian Press
Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States and the country’s lead voice on trade with Washington, will leave her post early in the new year. She announced her decision Tuesday evening and said the timing gives Ottawa room to prepare for major negotiations. Her exit comes ahead of the 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a file she helped shape for years.
Hillman said her move allows Prime Minister Mark Carney to form a full team before the review begins. “More and more of the discussions are going to be part of the CUSMA review process,” she said. “So I think leaving at the moment when we have time to transition to a team to see it through is the right decision for Canada.”
Successor Expected Soon
Sources familiar with the transition said Canadian financier Mark Wiseman will likely take over the role. Hillman did not name her replacement but said the next ambassador must quickly build strong ties with President Donald Trump, senior members of his cabinet and key figures in Congress. She added that the ambassador must also reach out to Trump’s allies beyond Washington.
Hillman stressed one priority when asked about dealing with the White House. “President Trump says what he means and he’s actually fairly consistent in a lot of things he says that are relevant to Canada,” she said. “It’s important to listen to that and understand it and give the best possible advice on how to find a path forward that works for Canada.”
A Key Player in Canada-U.S. Relations
Hillman first joined the embassy in Washington in 2017 and became ambassador in 2020. The Prime Minister asked her in June to stay on to guide talks with the Trump administration on trade and security. She agreed, but made it clear she did not intend to continue for much longer.
Her long résumé includes major files that shaped Canada’s trade policy. She served on the team that replaced NAFTA with the USMCA and played a central role in Canada’s work on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. She also helped negotiate a long list of difficult issues, including the Safe Third Country Agreement update in 2023 and the electric vehicle tax credit changes in 2022.
Tariffs and Tense Talks
Hillman and Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc have been leading Canada’s talks with senior U.S. officials on tariffs affecting steel, aluminum, autos and softwood lumber. Those talks stalled in the fall after Ontario Premier Doug Ford ran U.S. ads against American tariffs, prompting President Trump to halt discussions. The U.S. still maintains steep duties on many Canadian products under Section 232 rules.
Hillman said she hopes Canada can still find chances to reduce pressure on affected sectors, although much attention now shifts to the USMCA review.
Broad Praise for Her Work
Former prime minister Justin Trudeau called Hillman a “patriot” who worked “tirelessly” to settle trade disputes and support Canada’s economy. Other officials praised her role in the deferred prosecution agreement that helped secure the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig from China.
Her work across many sensitive files helped shape Canada’s approach to its largest trading partner. As she prepares to leave, Ottawa now focuses on choosing the right leadership for a crucial moment in the Canada-U.S. relationship.
