Trump Threatens to Block Opening of Gordie Howe International Bridge
President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a crucial infrastructure project connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The bridge, expected to open early this year, is already substantially complete, but its future is now uncertain as Trump demands concessions from Canada.
The president’s move, announced Monday, centers on demands for compensation and a greater stake in the bridge’s ownership. Trump wrote on social media that he will not allow the bridge to open until “the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them,” and that the U.S. Should own “perhaps, at least one half of this asset.” He initiated a call for “negotiations, IMMEDIATELY.”
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a $4.6 billion project approved in 2014, designed to ease congestion and improve trade flow between the two countries. The six-lane bridge is financed and overseen by the Canadian government. According to the Detroit Free Press, construction began in 2018, and major construction was completed, though a firm opening date has not been announced.
Trump’s threat extends beyond the bridge itself. He also expressed displeasure over the possibility of a trade deal between Canada and China, warning that he would impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if such a deal moves forward. This follows a series of critical remarks made during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The president also criticized the fact that the bridge was built without significant U.S. Content, stating that Canada was permitted to bypass the Buy American Act due to a waiver granted by former President Barack Obama. He claimed Canada “built it with virtually no U.S. Content.”
Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada, suggested the issue would be resolved, stating that these types of disputes are common in international trade and are typically settled through negotiation.
The new bridge is intended to be one of the largest ports of entry in North America. The 1.5-mile structure is designed to improve traffic flow and border security. The Washington Post reported the bridge was built to ease cargo transport between Detroit and Windsor.
Trump’s actions come as the bridge enters its final testing phase. Despite this progress, the opening remains in jeopardy until Canada meets the president’s demands. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in U.S.-Canada trade relations and raises questions about the future of cross-border infrastructure projects.
The president’s threats also included a bizarre prediction that China would “terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada,” a claim that appears unsubstantiated and unrelated to the bridge dispute.
