Shaheen Confronts Lutnick Over Canada Insults As Tourism DROPS 30% In Her State

Five days before this hearing, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was asked about Canada's trade strategy at a Washington conference. His answer was two words: "They suck." His spokesperson later said he was describing the trade imbalance, not insulting Canadians. On April 22, 2026, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) asked him what that kind of language costs the people she represents. THE SETUP International visitors to the United States fell 5.5% in 2025 — the only decline among 184 economies tracked by the World Travel & Tourism Council. Statistics Canada reports Canadians took 22.9 million trips to the U.S. last year, down from 31.9 million: about 25%, or roughly 10 million fewer trips. In New Hampshire specifically, a congressional analysis found Canadian visits fell about 30%. Tourism is New Hampshire's second-largest industry by revenue, supporting roughly 70,000 jobs and about $7.5 billion in annual visitor spending. THE EXCHANGE Shaheen asked how insulting the closest U.S. ally helps businesses in her state. Lutnick responded that Canada's economy leans on America's $30 trillion economy, and raised Canada's refusal to stock U.S. spirits and its treatment of American dairy farmers under USMCA. Shaheen answered that agreements don't get made while insulting people. She then pressed him on two more things: roughly $178 million in New Hampshire broadband funds still sitting unspent with no federal guidance, and the administration's approval of advanced chip exports to China. IN FAIRNESS Secretary Lutnick's chip answer holds up better than you might expect, and we say so in the video. Nvidia's top-tier Blackwell and Rubin chips were not approved for export to China. Only the older H200 was cleared — roughly 18 months behind. The Commerce Department rule requires U.S. third-party testing, adequate domestic supply, and prohibits military end-use. And on the day of this hearing, no H200s had been delivered. On broadband, the administration argues the $21 billion nationwide surplus is genuine savings from making states re-bid competitively. New Hampshire's Republican governor welcomed the state's $18.6 million award and noted New Hampshire ranks first in the nation for connectivity. On tourism, a strong dollar and tighter border screening also weighed on travel — and Canadian trips to the U.S. rose about 10% year-over-year in May 2026, a second straight monthly gain. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT Lutnick said the broadband spending plan would be in place "over the next 2 months." On June 30, the NTIA told House lawmakers the target had moved to "this summer." And on August 22, 2026, U.S.–Canada trade talks collapsed. Fifty percent tariffs took effect on about $20 billion of Canadian goods — including wine and spirits, the very products Lutnick complained Canada wouldn't stock. Days earlier, Prime Minister Carney had been urging Canadian provinces to end that boycott. Canada's retaliatory tariffs are set to begin September 8. USTR Jamieson Greer says Canada walked back terms agreed earlier that week. Prime Minister Carney says the U.S. changed terms late and "asked too much." Both accounts are public. Watch the full exchange and decide for yourself. 👍 If this was useful, hit LIKE. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for hearings covered with the receipts — both sides, no yelling. 💬 Was the Secretary's chip answer good enough for you? Tell me in the comments. I read every one. I'm Sam Carter. A Democrat, and proud of it. 🇺🇸