Washington/Ottawa: US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the newly built $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, may not be allowed to open, intensifying tensions with Canada over a range of trade disagreements.
In a social media post, Trump said the United States would not permit the bridge to become operational unless Washington is adequately compensated and treated with what he described as “fairness and respect.”
“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them,” Trump wrote, adding that negotiations would begin immediately. He also suggested that the US should own at least half of the infrastructure.
The six-lane bridge, which is expected to open in the coming months, was largely financed by the Canadian government after US authorities declined to fund the project. The construction costs are to be recovered through toll collections over a 30-year period.
Trump also cited broader grievances, including Canada’s dairy tariffs, restrictions on certain American alcoholic beverages in Canadian stores and Ottawa’s trade engagement with China.
The project dates back to 2012, when then-Michigan Governor Rick Snyder accepted Canada’s offer to cover most of the costs and used executive authority to bypass the state legislature. Construction began in 2018 and is now nearing completion.
Earlier this year, the US Department of Homeland Security designated the crossing as an official port of entry. Authorities estimate the bridge will reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and save travellers about $12.7 million annually in time and fuel costs.
Officials from the Canadian Embassy in Washington and the bridge authority did not immediately comment on Trump’s remarks.
Local Leaders Push Back
Political leaders in Michigan strongly criticised the threat. A spokesperson for Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the project was funded by Canada and built by union workers from both countries under a joint operating framework, adding that the bridge would open regardless.
US Senator Elissa Slotkin warned that halting the project could increase business costs, disrupt supply chains and lead to job losses. She accused the administration of penalising Michigan residents amid a broader trade conflict.
Representative Debbie Dingell also noted that Trump had previously supported the bridge in 2017, stressing the importance of maintaining strong ties with Canada, a key US ally.
Detroit remains one of the busiest trade gateways on the US-Canada border, handling commercial truck traffic worth $126 billion in 2023. The new crossing is expected to ease pressure on the existing Ambassador Bridge and reduce crossing times by about 20 minutes, potentially saving truckers $2.3 billion over three decades, according to a University of Windsor study.
The latest warning comes amid a series of tough trade measures and threats by the Trump administration, including potential tariffs on Canadian goods and concerns over Canada’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with China.
