The US President Donald Trump has announced his intent to block the opening of a bridge that connects the United States and Canada until Washington receives “full compensation” for its contributions to its northern neighbor.
In a statement shared on social media, Trump emphasized that the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which links Ontario with Michigan, will remain closed until Ottawa demonstrates “the fairness and respect that we deserve” towards the United States.
According to the project’s official website, the Canadian government funds the bridge, which will be publicly owned by both Canada and Michigan.
While the specifics of how Trump could impede the bridge’s opening remain unclear, he indicated that negotiations would commence immediately, though he did not provide further details.
Spanning the Detroit River, the bridge is anticipated to open to traffic after formal tests and approvals in early 2026. Construction commenced in 2018, and the project has sparked debate between the two countries for over a decade.
The estimated cost of the bridge stands at $6.4 billion CAD (£3.4 billion), as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that the United States should possess “at least one half of this asset,” suggesting that Canada controls both sides of the bridge.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, responsible for developing the bridge, is entirely owned by the Canadian government, according to the project’s website.
Trump expressed his frustration, stating, “The Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just ‘take advantage of America!'”
He further declared, “I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them.”
The Moroun family, American owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge that also links Detroit to Canada, previously appealed to Trump during his first term to halt the new bridge’s construction, arguing that it encroached on their exclusive toll-collecting rights.
In response, Trump and then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a joint statement recognizing the bridge as a “vital economic link” between the two nations.
On Monday, Trump highlighted recent trade disputes, labeling the tariffs Canada imposes on U.S. dairy products as “unacceptable” for many years.
He also criticized a recent trade agreement between Canada and China, warning that it would “eat Canada alive.”
Trump remarked, “The first thing China will do is terminate ALL ice hockey being played in Canada and permanently eliminate the Stanley Cup.”
As of now, the Canadian bridge authority, the Ontario premier’s office, and the Detroit mayor’s office have not responded to requests for comment.
