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- President Donald Trump threatens to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge late Monday
- The bridge was fully paid for by Canada, though Michigan is a partial owner, and is expected to open sometime in early 2026
- Trump, in a statement, said the bridge would only open once the US is ‘fully compensated for everything’ it has given Canada
LANSING — President Donald Trump is threatening to block a new bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, saying he will not allow the international crossing to open until the US is “fully compensated for everything we have given” Canada.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge has been under construction since 2018 but is slated to open later this year. Canada is paying all upfront costs for the bridge, which will be jointly owned with Michigan.
In a late Monday social media post, Trump argued that Canada is taking “advantage of” the US and should treat the US with the “Fairness and Respect that we deserve.”
It’s not clear how Trump would try to block the bridge, but the threat is the latest escalation of Trump’s trade war with Canada, which is Michigan’s largest international trade partner.
Trump last year imposed tariffs on Canada, prompting the country to pursue alternative trade deals with China. US House Democrats are expected to try to force a vote on those tariffs this week.
In his Monday night post, Trump argued the US should own “perhaps, at least one half of” the bridge.
He added: “We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY.”
A request for comment was left with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
Blocking the bridge’s opening would have “serious repercussions” for Michigan and would be “awful for our state’s economy,” US Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, said in a Monday night statement.
“With this threat, the president is punishing Michiganders for a trade war he started,” Slotkin added. “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.”
In a statement, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the Bridge was built by union workers from both sides of the border and would benefit the state’s auto industry.
“This project has been a tremendous example of bipartisan and international cooperation,” Whitmer said. “It’s going to open one way or another, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon cutting.”
Canada and Michigan agreed to construct the bridge in 2012 under an agreement sought by then-Gov. Rick Snyder, who said at the time that building a second international span was important for the state’s economic future and “a great illustration of the power of partnerships.”
As part of its agreement to cover all construction costs, Canada has been repaying Michigan for related expenses. It reimbursed the state more than $54 million last year alone, primarily for land acquisition, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is slated to join the Ambassador Bridge as the second international span in Detroit. It would be the only bridge from Michigan to Canada that allows for foot and bike traffic.
