FILE – The Saginaw passes development on the Gordie Howe Worldwide Bridge connecting on the Detroit River connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Oct. 25, 2023.
Paul Sancya/AP
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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 no less than half of the possession of the bridge and conform to different unspecified calls for in his newest salvo over cross-border commerce points.
“We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset,” Trump mentioned in a prolonged social media put up, complaining that the US 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 Crimson Wings for 25 seasons, had been anticipated to open in early 2026, in response to data on the mission’s web site. The mission was negotiated by former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder — a Republican — and paid for by the Canadian authorities to assist ease congestion over the present 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 in the course of the U.S. president’s second time period. The USA-Mexico-Canada commerce settlement is up for evaluation this yr, 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 in opposition to financial coercion by the US.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., mentioned the Canadian-funded mission is a “huge boon” to her state and its financial future. “You’ll be able to move cargo from Montreal to Miami without ever stopping at a street light,” Slotkin advised The Related Press.
“So to shoot yourself in the foot and threaten the Gordie Howe Bridge means that this guy has completely lost the plot on what’s good for us versus just what’s spite against the Canadians,” Slotkin mentioned.
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 yr 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 mission, the bridge might be operated beneath a joint possession settlement between Michigan and Canada, mentioned Stacey LaRouche, press secretary to Whitmer.
“This is the busiest trade crossing in North America,” LaRouche mentioned, saying the bridge was “good for Michigan workers and it’s good for Michigan’s auto industry” in addition to being a great instance of bipartisan and worldwide cooperation.
“It’s going to open one way or another, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon-cutting,” LaRouche mentioned.
Rep. Shri Thanedar, the Democratic Home consultant of Detroit, mentioned blocking the bridge could be “crazy” and mentioned Trump’s assaults on Canada weren’t good for enterprise or jobs. “The bridge is going to help Michigan’s economy. There’s so much commerce between Michigan and Canada. They’re one of our biggest partners,” Thanedar mentioned.
Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor brushed apart the president’s menace, saying she’s trying ahead to the bridge’s opening later within the spring. “And I’ll be there,” Dingell mentioned.
“That bridge is the biggest crossing in this country on the northern border. It’s jobs. It’s about protecting our economy. It was built with union jobs on both sides,” mentioned Dingell. “It’s going to open. Canada is our ally.”
