During the hearing, the former telecoms executive and Democratic fundraiser also offered a glimpse at his thinking on a number of other key US-Canada issues. They included Ottawa’s defence spending, bilateral coordination on international sanctions and damage to the relationship inflicted by the Trump administration.

Canadians re-elect Justin Trudeau, but deny him a coveted majority

Trudeau, who was reelected this week as prime minister, has faced renewed pressure in recent days as to whether Canada is on Biden’s radar when it comes to geopolitical matters like standing up to China.

Amid accusations Canada had been snubbed by allies, Trudeau said Aukus is about nuclear submarines and that Ottawa, unlike Canberra, had no immediate plans to acquire them. He stressed that Canada remained a strong member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes Aukus partners as well as New Zealand.

Biden raised Canadian eyebrows on Wednesday when, before a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, he said: “The United States has no closer or more reliable ally than Australia – our nations have been together for a long time.”

During Canada’s election campaign, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole presented a more-hawkish tone towards China. He pledged to seek Canada’s membership in Aukus and another Indo-Pacific partnership – the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

Diplomatic relations between Ottawa and Beijing rapidly deteriorated in December 2018 following the arrest of senior Huawei Technologies Co. executive Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition warrant. In the days that followed, Chinese authorities arrested two Canadians – Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig – in what has been widely condemned by Western democracies as retaliation.

In October 2020, Canada marked the 50th anniversary of its diplomatic ties with China with a statement that committed to re-evaluate the relationship.

“The use of coercive diplomacy causes Canada to re-examine its approach, with a focus on multilateral cooperation,” said then-Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne. “As we build a new framework for relations with China, Canada will work with partners to hold the Chinese government accountable to its international obligations.”

Canada’s updated China policy was expected by the end of 2020, but it has yet to be released.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau and Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond Thursday to questions about the status of the new China framework.

China weighs in as Canada’s Conservatives promise to ‘stand up’ to Beijing

Marta Morgan, Canada’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, told a parliamentary hearing in June that the country's approach to China was “evolving to address the threats to our national security and our core democratic values”.

“We are continuing to challenge the actions of the Chinese government that are inimical to Canada's interests and values,” Morgan told the committee on Canada-China relations when asked about the status of the new framework. “We're managing specific challenges such as the arbitrary detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig.”

During Wednesday’s hearing, Cohen told senators that Canada prefers to work with others on the global stage.

“Canada almost seems to prefer working in multilateral ways in its foreign affairs, which sometimes may make it appear that they are less outspoken than you might otherwise think,” Cohen said. “In the case of the two Michaels and arbitrary detention, they've been very outspoken and the United States has been very supportive.”

Here are five other highlights from the Cohen’s appearance:

‘Damage’ to the relationship

Committee member Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md) asked Cohen how he intended to repair any damage done to the US-Canada friendship while Donald Trump was in office.

“I agree with the premise of your question, quite strongly, and I think that it plays to one of my strengths over the course of my career,” Cohen replied. “I'm going to start with the simplest thing – I'm going to show up, I'm going to be there.”

He said he would establish a line of communication with the Canadian government, including with incoming cabinet ministers following Monday’s election.

Details emerge of China’s spy claims against Canadians Kovrig and Spavor

Defence cash

Cohen also took a question from Senator Chris Coons (D-Del) on how he would advance shared security goals through Nato and Norad.

The nominee said the countries have a long history of working together on defence arrangements – but then added: “There's always room for improvement, let me put it that way.”

For instance, Cohen said Canada has yet to appropriate the funds necessary to pay for the all the improvements to Norad that the two sides have agreed to conceptually.

“Although the percentage of the Canadian defence budget is creeping upwards, it is only at about 1.5 per cent [of its gross domestic product],” he said before arguing the figure is projected to drop to as low as 1 per cent over the next decade.

Reshoring supply chains

Cohen was asked how he would work to mitigate supply-chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and whether he saw any value in diverting them out of China and closer to US soil.

He said he would encourage these types of discussions.

“Obviously, anytime we can divert supply chains to our hemisphere, as opposed to China, is an economic benefit to the hemisphere and to the United States,” he said. “To the extent that we can accomplish that, I think that is good policy for the United States and for Canada.”

03:08

China sentences Canadian businessman Michael Spavor to 11 years for spying

China sentences Canadian businessman Michael Spavor to 11 years for spying

Sanctions

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) questioned Cohen on how important US-Canada coordination of international sanctions would be if he were to get the ambassador’s post. Murphy noted how the countries recently worked together on sanctions in Belarus.

Cohen highlighted legislation allowing for the creation of a sanctions coordinator position in the US State Department.

“It is my understanding that work is being done to identify a candidate to be nominated for that position,” he said. “That is an important tool to improve the coordination of sanctions, which will improve the effectiveness of sanctions, and will be another example of Canada and the United States being able to work together to advance our mutual goals.”

Biographical sketch

Cohen hosted a fundraiser for Biden on his first official day as a presidential candidate in April 2019 and was a campaign bundler for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He's also raised money for Pennsylvania Republicans.

Cohen was a senior executive at Comcast, a major American cable, internet and phone service provider headquartered in Philadelphia. He also served as Ed Rendell's chief of staff when the Democrat served as the city's mayor in the 1990s.

Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa), a Pennsylvania Republican, gave Cohen a glowing endorsement before the committee. He credited Cohen for playing a central role in pulling Philadelphia out of “really dire fiscal circumstances and placing it on a stable footing”. Toomey also said Cohen helped make Comcast a “powerhouse”.

“All the members of this committee understand full well how important Canada is as one of America's allies and neighbours – we rely on Canada as a major trade energy and security partner,” he said. “President Biden made an outstanding choice in choosing David for this post. David Cohen's very strong business background, his deep understanding of government at all levels, and his passion for service prepare him well for this role.”

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