US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to bar the new $4.7 billion bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, from opening, in his latest salvo against Canada over trade issues.
Trump cited Canada's ownership of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, its refusal to stock some US alcoholic beverages on Canadian store shelves, Canada's tariffs on dairy products, and its trade talks with China.
The bridge was financed by Canada because the US refused to pay for it, and it is set to open in the coming months. The costs will be financed by tolls over 30 years.
"I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve," Trump said on social media. "We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset."
In 2012, Michigan's then-Governor Rick Snyder accepted an offer from the Canadian government to fund most of the new Gordie Howe Bridge's costs and took the unusual step of using executive authority to bypass the legislature. Construction began in 2018, and the bridge is nearing completion.
Significance of the project, potential cancellation repercussions
The US Department of Homeland Security published a rule on January 30th declaring the bridge an official port of entry and stating that it will save travelers $12.7 million annually by reducing congestion, travel time, and easing traffic flow.
The Canadian Embassy in Washington and the bridge authority did not immediately comment.
A spokesperson for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, said, "Canada financed the construction of the bridge, which was built by union construction workers from both sides of the border - and it will be operated under a joint ownership agreement between Michigan and Canada ... It's going to open one way or another."
Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, said, "canceling this project will have serious repercussions. Higher costs for Michigan businesses, less secure supply chains, and ultimately, fewer jobs."
She added that Trump is "punishing Michiganders for a trade war he started. The only reason Canada is on the verge of a trade deal with China is because President Trump has kicked them in the teeth for a year."
Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, said Trump endorsed the bridge in 2017. "Nothing has changed. We cannot forget Canada is our friend and ally," Dingell said. "We have to stop these cheap shots. It helps no one, and it especially hurts our economy."
In 2023, Detroit was the second-largest US freight port by value and was the largest on the US-Canada border, handling $126 billion of value traded by commercial trucks.
The bridge will help ease truck traffic, which is handled by the Ambassador Bridge. The Gordie Howe Bridge will cut 20 minutes off the crossing time, saving truckers $2.3 billion over 30 years, according to a University of Windsor study.
Trump has made several threats against Canada during his second term and has drastically hiked tariffs on the US's northern neighbor. Last month, he said he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it followed through on a trade deal with China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in January, traveled to China to reset the countries' strained relationship and reached a trade deal with Canada's second-biggest trading partner after the US
Trump also said in January that the US would decertify Bombardier Global Express business jets and threatened 50% import tariffs on all aircraft made in Canada until Ottawa certified a number of planes produced by US rival Gulfstream. The Trump administration has so far taken no action against Canadian aircraft.