Mark Wiseman made his debut as Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. this week, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. He starts the post in a complicated time for Canadian-U.S. relations, taking over from Kirsten Hillman, a stable presence and a dogged negotiator for Canada since her appointment in 2020. So what will this changing of the guard mean for Canada?

CBC’s Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry take a look at what role the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. plays in Washington and how much power Wiseman and others have to actually move the needle with the Trump administration.

Did you catch the jeers? When U.S. Vice-President JD Vance was booed at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, it was not the welcome Americans are used to receiving on the global stage.

It’s not just at the Olympics. President Donald Trump seems fixated on bridges – both burning those that have historically existed between allies and blocking physical ones, like his threat to block the opening of a bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.

With everything that’s happening, is the American brand taking a hit on the international stage? And what are the consequences when Canada’s cultural cachet seems to be on the rise? CBC’s Washington correspondents Willy Lowry, Katie Simpson and Paul Hunter explore.

Ever since U.S. President Donald Trump started his ‘51st state’ rhetoric, Canadians have been parsing every word to discern what's real and what’s bluster.

Last week, the White House was back at it, threatening tariffs on Bombardier and aircraft made in Canada. And Prime Minister Mark Carney was warned by the U.S. Treasury Secretary not to ‘pick a fight’ ahead of CUSMA trade negotiations.

When it comes to the Trump administration’s trolling comments and tariff threats, how can Canadians know what to take seriously? CBC Washington correspondents Katie Simpson, Paul Hunter and Willy Lowry dig in.