U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a threat to delay the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is set to be the newest border crossing linking Windsor, Ont., and Detroit. Trump stated in a recent post that he will not allow the bridge to open until the United States is adequately compensated and Canada treats the U.S. fairly and respectfully. The White House was contacted by CBC News for clarification but did not respond.
The threat was part of a lengthy post by Trump, where he criticized Canada for allegedly treating the U.S. unfairly for many years. He claimed that the bridge was constructed with minimal U.S. involvement and reiterated his disapproval of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade intentions with China. Trump expressed a desire for the U.S. to own at least half of the bridge due to the contributions made by the U.S.
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 began in 2018 and is now in its final stages, with opening expected early this year after completion of testing and inspections.
The project has faced legal disputes over the years, particularly with the owners of the existing Ambassador Bridge, the Moroun family of Detroit, who claim the new bridge infringes on their toll collection rights. Trump initially supported the new bridge as a crucial project in 2017, despite the Moroun family’s objections.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens refuted some of Trump’s claims, stating that U.S. steel was used in the bridge’s construction from the Michigan side. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer defended the bridge, emphasizing its importance for job creation and the auto industry in the state.
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin criticized Trump for potentially harming the state’s economy by threatening to block the bridge. The ongoing tension between the U.S. and Canada, highlighted by Trump’s actions, comes amidst trade agreement renegotiations and previous tariff impositions on Canadian exports.
While Trump has made several threats against Canada on social media, including tariffs and business restrictions, he has not followed through on them. However, he retains the authority to block the opening of the bridge by utilizing presidential powers granted for transportation crossings at the U.S. border.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, named after the hockey legend, is projected to improve border crossing efficiency for commercial vehicles and save significant time for truck drivers annually, according to an economic impact assessment.