(C) WKZO
WASHINGTON D.C. / OTTAWA — U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a fresh diplomatic firestorm with Canada, threatening to block the opening of a vital new international bridge unless the United States is granted a 50% ownership stake and "compensated" for historical grievances.
A Bridge Held Hostage
In a characteristically blunt post on Truth Social on Monday, President Trump declared that the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Michigan, will not open as scheduled in the second half of 2026.
The $4.7 billion (USD) project has been under construction since 2018. Trump argued that the current ownership structure is "unfair," claiming that Canada owns assets on both sides of the border despite the bridge's strategic importance to the U.S.
"We are going to start negotiations immediately," Trump posted. "Given what we have provided, we should probably own at least half of this asset."
The "China Factor" and Hockey Diplomacy
The tension is largely fueled by Canada’s recent attempts to thaw relations with Beijing. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who visited China last month, has been seeking a trade agreement—a move that has infuriated the Trump administration.
Trump used the bridge controversy to launch a scathing critique of Carney's foreign policy, claiming:
Economic Subsumption: He warned that China would "eat Canada alive" if a trade deal is struck.
Cultural Attacks: In a bizarre appeal to Canadian nationalism, Trump claimed China would eventually "cancel" ice hockey and the Stanley Cup in Canada.
Tariff Threats: He reiterated his threat to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if the Canada-China trade agreement proceeds.
Historical Disputes and Financial Reality
Trump’s grievances stem from a waiver granted by the Obama administration that allowed the project to bypass "Buy American" requirements. Trump claimed this resulted in a lack of U.S. steel and materials in the bridge's construction.
However, Prime Minister Mark Carney sought to clarify the facts during a phone call with Trump on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney noted:
Funding: Canada has paid over $4 billion (CAD) for the construction.
Existing Ownership: The ownership is already split between the Canadian federal government and the State of Michigan.
"I explained the reality of the costs and the current partnership," Carney said, adding cautiously that he believes "things will work out."
Economic Alarm in the Rust Belt
The threat has sent shockwaves through the Michigan business community. The Detroit Regional Chamber issued a stern warning, stating that any delay to the bridge—the most significant infrastructure project in the region’s modern history—would have "catastrophic consequences" for the state and national economies.
The bridge is designed to handle roughly 25% of all surface trade between the U.S. and Canada. If it remains closed, the aging Ambassador Bridge will continue to be the sole major artery, creating a massive bottleneck for the North American supply chain.
Looking Ahead
This "bridge-gate" is the latest in a series of escalations by Trump, who has previously joked (or threatened) to annex Canada as the "51st State." As the 2026 opening date approaches, the Gordie Howe International Bridge has become much more than a transport route; it is now the primary lever in a high-stakes geopolitical tug-of-war.
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