Visiting NL Town That Hosted Diverted Planes on 9/11, US Envoy Says He’s Putting Trade Tensions Aside

Speaking from the Newfoundland and Labrador town that hosted stranded Americans in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said that historic event shows the “opportunity” for Canada and the United States to work together and added that he’ll leave economic issues aside until after commemoration of the tragedy on Sept. 11.

The small town of Gander hosted more than 6,600 primarily American passengers on Sept. 11, 2001, in the wake of the terrorist attacks, organizing accommodation, food, and transportation, and becoming a symbol of Canadian–American solidarity and kindness toward neighbours.

“Some really great things happened, and you know, this is to say one more time thank you,” Hoekstra told CBC News on Sept. 10 regarding Gander’s response during the attack. “It’s really, really, important to say thank you.”

“We’ll get back to the economic issues, at least from our standpoint … when we get past 9/11,” the ambassador added when asked about the ongoing Canada–U.S. trade dispute.

Asked if remembrance of the event of cross-border assistance was a chance to heal the divide, Hoekstra responded affirmatively.

“I think this is an opportunity. Every day is an opportunity,” he said.

He later said in a social media post that what Gander did is “truly extraordinary.”

“Thanks to the Ganderites, pilots, plane people, and others who shared their Untold Stories with us tonight. We’re so glad to be here with you,” he said about an event he attended in the town.

‘Take the Tenor Down’

Hoekstra, who took up his post as U.S. ambassador to Canada in April 2025, expressed similar sentiments about remembering the Sept. 11 attacks during a Sept. 10 interview with CTV.

However, the ambassador objected when asked about the “trade war” with Canada and U.S. President Donald Trump’s memes mocking Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“Number one, we don’t refer to it as a trade war,” he said. “The second thing is, it’s time to take the tenor down.”

“There have been things that have been said by Canadian politicians that, at least I’ve heard, they regret that they’ve ever said them,” he added, without naming which politicians he was referring to.

Asked if he would advise Trump to likewise “bring down the temperature,” Hoekstra declined to answer, reiterating that he was in Gander to remember the events of 9/11.

“We’re here to talk about 9/11. I’m not going to get into the trade stuff here,” he said. “These other things will come back. We’ll have to deal with them. They’ll get resolved. We’re going to move forward. It’s just a matter of how long it’s going to take.”

Tariffs

Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs on roughly $28 billion of Canadian goods on Aug. 22 after trade talks broke down, while Canada put in place 15 to 50 percent tariffs on a matching value of American goods effective Sept. 8.

Both sides blame each other for the failure of trade negotiations, saying unacceptable demands and last-minute changes were made to a draft agreement in the leadup to the collapse of talks.

Acknowledging the tension over the dispute, Hoekstra commented, however, that Canadians seem to be much more focused on it than Americans.

“The tension is higher here than what it is in the States,” he said. “You get met at the airport by a couple of cameras and a microphone saying, ‘Hey, what’s going on and the tension and all that.’ … You’re not getting the same questions in the U.S.”

Hoekstra said that Gander’s assistance to stranded passengers and more recent incidences of Canadians and Americans helping and saving one another show the fondness between the two nations.

“We have these things happening each and every day, showing how much we care for each other, how much we like each other,” Hoekstra said.