President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to postpone the long-anticipated opening of a commuter bridge between Detroit and Canada until Canadian officials comply with a host of his trade demands.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge has been under construction since 2018 and will be owned by both Michigan and Canada, with the $5.7 billion project fully financed by Canada. The bridge, once opened, will compete with the privately owned Ambassador Bridge 1 mile to the north, which is considered by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be “the single busiest international land border crossing in North America.”
“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them. Also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” Trump posted Monday evening on Truth Social. “We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY.”
“With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset,” Trump added. “The revenues generated because of the U.S. Market will be astronomical.”
In his post Monday evening, Trump criticized Ontario for not selling American alcohol and took issue with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s apparent willingness to negotiate an economic deal with China — as well as Canadian tariffs on U.S. dairy products.
“Prime Minister Carney wants to make a deal with China — which will eat Canada alive. We’ll just get the leftovers! I don’t think so,” Trump said in the post.
In a statement to the Detroit Free Press, a spokesperson for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the bridge “is going to open one way or another.”
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel, in a press release, referred to a joint statement from Trump and Canadian officials in 2017 in which the president described the bridge as a “vital economic link between our two countries.”
“Threateninng to arbitrarily block the bridge from opening would amount to economic sabotage against Michigan, leading to higher prices, fewer jobs and greater uncertainty for our state’s auto industry,” Hertel said.
Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell also referenced Trump’s past remarks in a Monday night social-media post criticizing Trump’s use of the bridge as leverage.
“Nothing has changed. We cannot forget Canada is our friend and ally,” Dingell wrote. “We have to stop these cheap shots. It helps no one, and it especially hurts our economy.”
Michigan’s Democratic senators immediately responded to the threats Monday evening, with Sen. Gary Peters calling Trump’s statement “completely backwards.”
“Michigan’s economy is highly integrated with Canada and the Detroit-Windsor corridor is one of the busiest border crossings for trade in our entire country,” Peters posted on X. “We’ve wanted this bridge for years because it will be a boon for our economy. This is another case of the President undermining Michigan businesses and workers.”
“The President’s agenda for personal retribution should not come before what’s best for us. Canada is our friend -- not our enemy,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin posted. “And I will do everything in my power to get this critical project back on track.”
The Detroit News reported that state Republicans are scheduled to meet with the White House on Tuesday.
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