U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a threat to delay the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the upcoming border crossing linking Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit. Trump insisted that the bridge would not open until the United States is adequately compensated and Canada treats the U.S. fairly and respectfully. The White House has been contacted for additional details but did not respond on Monday evening.
In a lengthy social media post, Trump criticized Canada for supposedly treating the U.S. unfairly for many years and claimed that the bridge was constructed with minimal U.S. involvement. He also reiterated concerns about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade discussions with China, suggesting that the U.S. should have a significant ownership stake in the project.
Despite the $6.4 billion cost being covered entirely by Canada’s federal government, the Gordie Howe bridge is jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan. Construction on the six-lane bridge commenced in 2018 and is now mostly finished, with final testing and inspections ongoing for an anticipated early opening this year.
The bridge has faced legal disputes over the years, notably involving the owners of the existing Ambassador Bridge seeking compensation for perceived toll collection rights infringements. While initially opposed by the Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge, Trump backed the Gordie Howe Bridge as a vital economic link between the U.S. and Canada in 2017.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens refuted some of Trump’s claims, highlighting the use of U.S. steel in the bridge’s construction and emphasizing the importance of the project for both nations. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the bridge’s positive impact on jobs and the auto industry in the region.
Amid Trump’s threats to block the bridge’s opening, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin criticized the potential economic repercussions on Michigan, stressing the significance of trade relations with Canada. While Trump has made various trade-related threats against Canada, no concrete actions have been taken thus far. The president holds the authority to impede the bridge’s opening through executive actions, despite its bipartisan and international support.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, named after the renowned hockey player, is projected to streamline commercial traffic flow between the two countries, reducing border crossing times and saving significant hours for trucks annually, according to an economic impact study commissioned for the project.