Trump Threatens to Block Opening of New $4.7 Billion U.S.-Canada Bridge

Trump Threatens to Block Opening of New $4.7 Billion U.S.-Canada Bridge

Source: Gordie Howe International Bridge

In a major escalation of cross-border tensions, President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of the nearly completed Gordie Howe International Bridge. The $4.7 billion project, which connects Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, is a vital trade artery that has been nearly a decade in the making.

In a characteristically blunt late-night post on Truth Social, the President asserted that the United States has been "treated very unfairly for decades" by its northern neighbor.

"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 wrote. He further demanded that the U.S. should own "at least one half of this asset," citing the "astronomical" revenues he expects the bridge to generate from the U.S. market.

The bridge is currently funded entirely by the Canadian federal government but is designed to be jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan. Construction is effectively complete, with final testing and inspections underway for an opening scheduled for early this year.

A "Self-Defeating" Move?

The President’s threat has sparked immediate backlash from political and business leaders on both sides of the border. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded on Tuesday, emphasizing that Canada paid for the project and that it remains a symbol of shared prosperity.

"I explained to the President that Canada paid for the bridge, firstly," Carney told reporters. "Secondly, it’s a property shared between the state of Michigan and the Canadian government, and there were American steel and workers involved."

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin slammed the move as "economic sabotage," stating that Trump is "punishing Michiganders for a trade war he started."

Trade Grievances Take Center Stage

Trump’s latest salvo appears linked to a broader list of grievances against Ottawa. In his post, he criticized Canadian tariffs on U.S. dairy, a lack of U.S. alcohol on Ontario shelves, and Prime Minister Carney’s recent moves toward a "strategic partnership" with China.

Legal experts remain divided on whether the President has the authority to block the bridge’s operation. While the original presidential permit was issued in 2013, some suggest an executive order could potentially revoke or stall the authorization required for the port of entry to function.

As the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) approaches a scheduled review later this year, the fate of the Gordie Howe Bridge now hangs in the balance, shifting from a symbol of international cooperation to a high-stakes bargaining chip in a renewed global trade war.