In a time of arguably awkward relationships with America's neighbor to the north, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday gave its stamp of approval to a new ambassador tasked with striking what may be a delicate diplomatic balance.

As Fox News reports, by a vote of 60-37, the upper chamber confirmed former Republican Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan to serve as the Trump administration's ambassador to Canada.

Trump taps Hoekstra

It was back in November that then-President-elect Donald Trump announced Hoekstra as his choice to serve as the nation's representative in Canada, as The Hill reported at the time.

“I am very pleased to announce that former Ambassador, and former Congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has been nominated as my United States Ambassador to Canada,” Trump stated, referencing his nominee's stint as ambassador to the Netherlands from January 2018 to January 2021.

Offering a nod to Hoekstra's personal and political background, Trump added, “Pete is well-respected in the Great State of Michigan – A State we won sizably.”

Trump continued, of Hoekstra, “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.”

Not only does Hoekstra hail from one of Canada's American neighbor states, he also possesses expertise gleaned from his time as a member of the U.S. House, which spanned from 1993 to 2011, his tenure as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and his aforementioned prior diplomatic role.

Confirmation process complete

Hoekstra's ascension to the role of ambassador comes at a time when U.S. relations with Canada have hit some snags, particularly amid President Donald Trump's suggestions that the country should become America's 51^st state as well as the imposition of tariffs as a part of a broader effort to rebalance global trade.

Even so, Hoekstra was apparently able to convince a significant number of Senate Democrats that he is not a problematic choice for the role of ambassador to Canada.

During his confirmation hearing, Hoekstra emphasized his affinity for Canada, noting his “special appreciation” for the country “as a neighbor.”

“My home state is connected to Canada by four and soon to be five, bridge crossings along maritime board, across the Great Lakes, vital lakes that drive businesses, jobs and livelihoods in both states. If confirmed, I will work tirelessly to build on that record of cooperation extended, obviously nationally,” he assured legislators.

Amid questioning from Democrat Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, Hoekstra stated that “Canada is a sovereign state,” though he did not offer comment on Trump's often-repeated assertion that Canada should join the union as its 51^st member.

Hoekstra's challenge

Helping the White House maintain harmonious relations with Ottawa may be more of a challenge for Hoekstra than it may have been for ambassadors in the past, particularly given recent statements from new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has not taken kindly to Trump's vision for his country.

Carney this week doubled down on prior statements in opposition to Trump's recent actions, saying that tariffs “are threatening our families, our workers and our businesses” and are “unjustified, unwarranted and misguided. He went on to blast what he called “irresponsible American gun laws and their weak border enforcement” as well as online platforms he says “have become seas of racism, misogyny, anti-semitism, Islamophobia and hate in all its forms,” underscoring the fact that Hoekstra truly has his work cut out for him in the weeks and months to come.