FILE – The Saginaw passes building on the Gordie Howe Worldwide Bridge connecting on the Detroit River connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Oct. 25, 2023.
Paul Sancya/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
Paul Sancya/AP
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to dam the opening of a brand new Canadian-built bridge throughout the Detroit River, demanding that Canada flip over at the least half of the possession of the bridge and comply with different unspecified calls for in his newest salvo over cross-border commerce points.
“We are going to begin negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we’ve given them, we should always personal, maybe, at the least one half of this asset,” Trump stated in a prolonged social media put up, complaining that the USA would get nothing from the bridge and that Canada didn’t use U.S. metal to constructed it.
The Gordie Howe Worldwide Bridge, named after a Canadian hockey star who performed for the Detroit Purple Wings for 25 seasons, had been anticipated to open in early 2026, in line with info on the venture’s web site. The venture was negotiated by former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder — a Republican — and paid for by the Canadian authorities to assist ease congestion over the prevailing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Work has been underway since 2018.
It is unclear how Trump would search to dam the bridge from being opened, and the White Home didn’t instantly return a request for touch upon extra particulars. The Canadian Embassy in Washington additionally didn’t instantly return a request for remark.
Trump’s menace comes as the connection between the U.S. and Canada more and more sours through the U.S. president’s second time period. America-Mexico-Canada commerce settlement is up for evaluation this 12 months, and Trump has been taking a hard-line place forward of these talks, together with by issuing new tariff threats.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, in the meantime, has spoken out on the world stage towards financial coercion by the USA.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., stated the Canadian-funded venture is a “large boon” to her state and its financial future. “You’ll transfer cargo from Montreal to Miami with out ever stopping at a road mild,” Slotkin instructed The Related Press.
“So to shoot your self within the foot and threaten the Gordie Howe Bridge implies that this man has fully misplaced the plot on what’s good for us versus simply what’s spite towards the Canadians,” Slotkin stated.
Michigan, a swing state that Trump carried in each 2016 and 2024, has to date largely averted the brunt of his second-term crackdown, which has focused blue states with aggressive immigration raids and cuts to federal funding for main infrastructure initiatives.
Trump and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have additionally maintained an unusually cordial relationship, with the president publicly praising her throughout an Oval Workplace look final April. The 2 additionally shared a hug final 12 months forward of Trump’s announcement of a brand new fighter jet mission for an Air Nationwide Guard base in Michigan.
Whereas Canada paid for the venture, the bridge will likely be operated underneath a joint possession settlement between Michigan and Canada, stated Stacey LaRouche, press secretary to Whitmer.
“That is the busiest commerce crossing in North America,” LaRouche stated, saying the bridge was “good for Michigan employees and it is good for Michigan’s auto trade” in addition to being a superb instance of bipartisan and worldwide cooperation.
“It’ll open a technique or one other, and the governor seems to be ahead to attending the ribbon-cutting,” LaRouche stated.
Rep. Shri Thanedar, the Democratic Home consultant of Detroit, stated blocking the bridge can be “loopy” and stated Trump’s assaults on Canada weren’t good for enterprise or jobs. “The bridge goes to assist Michigan’s economic system. There’s a lot commerce between Michigan and Canada. They’re one among our greatest companions,” Thanedar stated.
Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor brushed apart the president’s menace, saying she’s wanting ahead to the bridge’s opening later within the spring. “And I will be there,” Dingell stated.
“That bridge is the most important crossing on this nation on the northern border. It is jobs. It is about defending our economic system. It was constructed with union jobs on either side,” stated Dingell. “It’ll open. Canada is our ally.”
