United States President Donald Trump has threatened to block a major bridge between Canada and the United States over ownership concerns. The bridge is suspended between Michigan and Ontario, and Trump is demanding ownership of at least half of the crossing.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump said he would not allow the Gordie Howe International Bridge that connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, to open until the United States is “fully compensated” and Canada treats its neighbor with what he described as “fairness and respect.”
“With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset. The revenues generated because of the US market will be astronomical,” Trump wrote.
Trump accused Canada of benefiting disproportionately from the project, claiming it was built with “virtually no US content” and alleging that a waiver issued under former President Barack Obama allowed Canada to bypass ‘Buy American’ requirements. He also repeated longstanding grievances over Canadian dairy tariffs, provincial restrictions on US alcohol sales, and Ottawa’s recent outreach to China.
The new six-lane crossing is expected to open early this year following final testing and inspections, and will become one of the busiest trade links between the two countries. The bridge, which began construction in 2018, is projected to cost about $6.4 billion, up from an original estimate of $5.7 billion.-RT
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According to the Canadian rulers, the bridge has been fully funded by Ottawa and will be publicly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said parts of the US president’s post were “just insane,” insisting that US steel was used on the Michigan side of the project.
This is just another increase in rhetoric coming from the Trump administration toward Canada in recent weeks. Trump has threatened to impose harsh tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft and wants more punitive measures if Canada broadens its trade ties with China.