Donald Trump, United States president, has threatened to block the opening of a major new bridge linking the United States and Canada, injecting fresh uncertainty into one of North America’s most important trade corridors.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the Gordie Howe International Bridge would not open until Washington was “fully compensated for everything we have given” to Canada. He accused Ottawa of trying to “take advantage of America” and argued that the United States should own at least half of the project.
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The bridge, which spans the Detroit River and connects Ontario with the state of Michigan, has been funded by the Canadian government. Once operational, it will be publicly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan. It is expected to open later this year, pending final tests and regulatory approvals.
Mark Carney, Canada prime minister, said he had a “positive” conversation with Trump on Tuesday and used the call to correct what he described as misunderstandings about the project.
“I reminded the president that Canada paid for the bridge,” Carney told reporters in Ottawa. “It was built by Canadian and American workers, using steel from both countries. This is a great example of cooperation between our countries, and I look forward to it opening.”
Carney added that Trump asked Pete Hoekstra, United States ambassador to Canada and a former Michigan lawmaker, to help smooth discussions around the bridge.
Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier said he was confident the bridge would open as planned, calling it essential for both economies. “This bridge is in the best interests of Ontario, Michigan and the broader North American economy,” he said.
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On the American side, concerns have also been raised by Democratic lawmakers. Elissa Slotkin, Michigan senator, warned that blocking the bridge would hurt her state.
“Closing this incredibly important infrastructure project would be awful for our state’s economy,” Slotkin said in a post on X.
She pointed to higher costs for businesses, weaker supply chains and fewer jobs.
It remains unclear how Trump could legally prevent the bridge from opening. He said negotiations would begin immediately but did not explain what form they would take.
The bridge, named after the late Canadian ice hockey legend Gordie Howe, has been under construction since 2018 and has cost an estimated 6.4 billion Canadian dollars. It has long been controversial, particularly among the owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge, who argued the new crossing would undermine their toll revenues.
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Trump also revived trade grievances in his statement, criticising Canadian dairy tariffs and attacking Canada’s recent trade engagement with China. Some of his remarks, including comments about ice hockey and the Stanley Cup, were widely dismissed in Canada as unserious.
Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, rejected Trump’s claim that no American steel was used in construction. “It’s just insane,” he told CBC. “I really can’t believe what I’m reading.”
For now, officials on both sides of the border are trying to play down the rhetoric. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan governor, said the bridge was good for jobs and growth.
“This project has been a tremendous example of bipartisan and international cooperation,” her spokesperson Stacey LaRouche said.
