The Canadian Press
Joanna Smith
OTTAWA–It was an hour into her Senate confirmation hearing yesterday before Kelly Knight Craft, chosen by U.S. President Donald Trump to serve as the next ambassador to Canada at a pivotal time for bilateral relations, was asked her first question.
It came from Indiana Republican Sen. Todd Young.
“Consider this a diplomatic test,” he said, then played an audio clip from his phone.
It was from a college basketball game, nearly six years ago, when the Hoosiers of Indiana University, from his home state, narrowly beat the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky, from hers.
The room erupted into laughter and Young said he had nothing else.
The Trump administration may want to have its ambassador in Canada quickly, since negotiations for the new North American Free Trade Agreement are set to begin next month.
But the urgency did not seem to translate into any greater scrutiny for the proposed envoy at the hearing in Washington, D.C.
Knight Craft was asked again about college basketball and even brought it up herself in her opening statement, which included a broad outline of her goals as Canadian ambassador.
“I will work tirelessly to further enhance our strong economic partnership–the most extensive and integrated economic relationship of any two nations in the world,” she said.
“I believe we can do better,” she added.
“If confirmed, I will seek new opportunities to foster further growth to create more jobs for both countries, while promoting free and fair trade to ensure that American businesses and workers can compete on a level playing field.”
Knight Craft did not divulge many details about the role she expects in NAFTA talks, except that she will work closely with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on advancing American priorities on the file.
Later on, when asked to share her plans for promoting U.S. exports to Canada, Knight Craft mentioned softwood lumber, dairy, and poultry as areas where she would direct some of her efforts.
Knight Craft, who would be the first woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to Canada, said she also would work to advance shared goals on energy security, which she mentioned is linked to the environment.
Knight Craft was sharing her time with more high-profile nominees, including Kay Bailey Hutchison, who has been tapped to represent the U.S. at NATO, and Robert Wood Johnson IV, who Trump has chosen to fill the U.K. post.
Each were asked by Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, whether they believed Russia had tried to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
“I believe, just from reading the material that everyone has had the opportunity to read, that it looks as if yes,” Knight Craft replied.
Senators devoted much more time to grilling Hutchison about Russian aggression and the role of NATO.
Knight Craft said she also valued the partnership Canada has with the U.S. in Norad and NATO.
The U.S. ambassador post in Canada has been vacant since former envoy Bruce Heyman stepped down after Trump’s election.
