The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa on Thursday issued a rare statement praising the Canadian military service in Afghanistan to White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro sharp criticism of Canadian policy in a new book.
Richard Mills, the embassy’s affairs chief, said the US “deeply appreciates the service and sacrifice of our Canadian allies in support of the defense of freedom and global security.”
The statement cited Vice President Pence’s remarks during his 2019 visit to the country, noting how the two North American countries “have stood shoulder to shoulder for generations in defending freedom.”
“Our ancestors fought side by side in the great conflicts of the 20th century,” Pence said. “And in recent years, our forces have fought against the scourge of radical Islamic terrorism throughout the Middle East. And both of our peoples have endured a great sacrifice.”
Statement by Chargé d’Affaires Richard Mills: The United States deeply values the service and sacrifice of our Canadian allies in support of the defense of freedom and global security. #FriendsPartnersAllies pic.twitter.com/xDnioCPYWQ
– US Embassy in Ottawa (@usembassyottawa) August 27, 2020
Mills is currently the top officer in the embassy because of Aldona Wos, who President Trump
Donald John The Memo: Trump Uses Convention to Focus on Major States Conway Hots Trump as ‘Women’s Champion’ Former ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ Star Trace Adkins Sings at GOP Congress MORE nominated to the U.S. Ambassador to Canada in February, has not been confirmed.
The unusual statement comes after Navarro was quoted in a new book, “The Madman Theory” by CNN’s Jim Sciutto, dismissing the idea that Canada “does us a favor” with its military presence in Afghanistan.
“Were they a favor to us, or were they brought up in the idea that they needed it as part of the global effort against terrorists?” Navarro told Sciutto. “I mean, if they were just doing us a favor, their government might have to be thrown out of office. I mean, every time a Canadian appears in a uniform, it does us a favor? How is that work?”
The Trump official also accused Canada of serving as a road station for Chinese products that would otherwise be under rigid U.S. tariffs.
“What’s good about Canada?” he told Sciutto. “It looks like this kind of blue-eyed. It’s just Canada. It has its own national interests and self-interests.”
Rick Hillier, Canada’s former chief of staff, blamed Navarro as “an idiot” for his comments.
“My first reaction, honestly, was, ‘What an idiot,'” Hillier said, according to CBC News. I mean, even if you believe those things, I’m not sure why you would make them, or why you would not respect the service and the sacrifice in this bloodshed and the loss of life by the sons and daughters of Canada who are next to us soldiers soldiers American war brothers and sisters. “
Hillier was commander of the NATO-led multinational mission in Afghanistan in 2004. He said Navarro, which advises President Trump on trade issues, is not qualified to speak on military matters.
“At first I thought he must be a military genius and knew this stuff. Then I realized he was a trade adviser, so I’m not sure why he’s commenting on this,” he said. “Obviously he does not understand NATO Article 5 that an attack on one is an attack on all.
“We believed here in Canada,” Hillier said. “And that’s why Canada stepped up to take part in that mission and try to make the world a better place.”
Hillier said Navarro’s comments reflect “a distaste for relations around the world that are now internationally involved with the United States of America.”
Several other senior officials voted in favor of Navarro’s comments in support of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“When our friend and ally was attacked on 9/11, Canada was there for America and throughout the Afghanistan campaign. One hundred and sixty Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our collective peace and security,” said Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan.
In a statement, Sajjan said Canadians had stood with Americans “from the shores of Normandy to the Korean Peninsula and even now we are cooperating in our fight against Da’esh in the Middle East”, with the Arabic name for the Islamic state. ,
“You have left sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers to stand by our American partners and allies around the world,” tweeted Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States. “Many of your brothers and sisters have never returned. We remember your sacrifices. We are grateful for your service, @CanadianForces.”
You have left sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers to stand by our American partners and allies around the world.
Many of your brothers and sisters never came back.
We remember your sacrifices.
We are grateful for your service, @CanadianForces.– Kirsten Hillman (@KirstenHillmanA) August 27, 2020
Navarro also received criticism from former U.S. officials.
Bruce Heyman, the former US Ambassador to Canada, in a tweet called Navarro’s remarks “inappropriate, inaccurate and detrimental to our bilateral relationship.”
“Several U.S. generals have told me on many occasions that if they were ever stuck in a fox hole, they would want a Canadian by their side,” he added in another tweet.
Several U.S. generals have told me on many occasions that if they ever sat in a foxhole, they wanted a Canadian by their side.
– Bruce A. Heyman (@BruceAHeyman) August 27, 2020
Leon Panetta, who served as Secretary of Defense and CIA Director during the Obama administration, said Navarro’s remarks sent a strong signal that he was “not a confidential member or a trusted ally, and that raises many concerns. about those strong alliances that are critical to peace and prosperity. “
“Instead of an America that is a world leader, the rest of the world sees the United States as a rogue people who cannot be trusted,” Panetta added in an interview with CTV News
Navarro and other figures from the Trump administration have often blasted Canada over trade issues.
In 2018, Navarro accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Justin Pierre James Trudeau Navarro throws Canada in book interview: ‘What’s Good About Canada?’ Canada promises revenge against Trump tariffs Are US-Japan relations on the rocks? MORE of “bad faith diplomacy” and said at the Group of Seven Summits in Quebec that there was a “special place in hell” for him.
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